Kolkata Knight Riders, the three‑time champions of the Indian Premier League, have named former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee as their new bowling coach. The decision comes ahead of the 2026 IPL season, as the franchise looks to sharpen its attack for the upcoming tournament.
Southee is already a familiar face in Kolkata. He played for KKR during the 2021, 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons, so he knows the stadium, the fans and the team culture. His return to KKR follows former coach Bharat Arun’s move to Lucknow Super Giants. Southee will work closely with head coach Abhishek Nayar, mentor Dwayne Bravo, and the club’s new assistant coach Shane Watson.
“I feel at home with KKR, and it’s an honour to go back in this new role,” Southee said in a statement. “The club’s culture and the passion of its supporters inspire me. I’m excited to help the bowlers and the team win in IPL 2026.”
The former New Zealand captain brought more than 700 wickets across all formats to his game, having played 107 Test matches, 150 One Day Internationals and 120 T20 Internationals. He captained his country to the 2019 ODI World Cup final and to the 2021 World Test Championship title. Southee retired from international cricket at the end of last year and has recently worked as a fast‑bowling consultant for England’s home summer.
Venky Mysore, KKR’s CEO, added, “Tim’s deep experience and coaching skills will be a game‑changer for our bowlers. His calm leadership and technical knowledge make him perfect to guide our young talent.”
With a new coaching lineup that includes past star Dwayne Bravo and former Australian player Shane Watson, Kolkata Knight Riders aim to build a top‑class bowling unit for the 2026 season. The club’s supporters hope the fresh experience of Tim Southee will propel them back to the top of IPL standings.
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