Kolkata Knight Riders have appointed New Zealand fast-bowling great Tim Southee as the bowling coach of the side ahead of IPL 2026.
KKR welcomes Southee
KKR took to X (formerly Twitter), sharing the news. "We are delighted to welcome Tim Southee back to the KKR family, this time in a coaching capacity. "Tim's vast experience and technical expertise will be instrumental in shaping our bowling unit. His leadership qualities and calm approach make him an ideal mentor for our young bowlers," said KKR CEO Venky Mysore.
Also Read | Shane Watson joins Kolkata Knight Riders as assistant coach ahead of IPL 2026
Coaching changes at KKR
Southee is joining the franchise as part of a major reshuffle in the coaching unit. Abhishek Nayar has been at the helm of the coaching unit, while Shane Watson has been appointed as the assistant coach, and Dwayne Bravo continues his duties as team mentor.
Southee's IPL journey
Southee has had a long IPL playing career with the Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Mumbai Indians between 2011 and 2023. His time as a player with KKR saw his best season in 2022, claiming 14 wickets in nine matches. Over 43 IPL games, he has picked up 31 wickets, ESPNcricinfo wrote.
Also Read | IPL 2026 auction: Deals, dates, rumours-here's everything you need to know
Southee hasn't retired from international cricket but has gone on to take up coaching assignments over the past year, with England being one of them. Southee said, " KKR has always felt like home to me, and it's an honour to return in this new role. The franchise has an incredible culture, passionate fans, and a great group of players. I look forward to working closely with the bowlers and helping the team achieve success in IPL 2026."
