Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced the appointment of New Zealand cricket legend Tim Southee as the Bowling Coach for the upcoming season of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL 2026).
One of the most accomplished fast bowlers of his generation, Tim Southee has been a cornerstone of New Zealand cricket for over 15 years. Having represented his country in 100+ Test matches, over 150 ODIs, and 120+ T20 Internationals, Southee has claimed more than 700 international wickets across formats. Renowned for his swing, accuracy, and leadership, he captained New Zealand in multiple formats and played pivotal roles in their 2019 ICC World Cup campaign and the 2021 ICC World Test Championship victory.
Southee is no stranger to the KKR family, having been part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad (2021, 2022, 2023) in the IPL during his playing career. Known for his professionalism and mentoring qualities, he made a strong impact both on and off the field before announcing his retirement from international cricket in 2025.
Venky Mysore, CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders, said, “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.”
Tim 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.”
