Kolkata Knight Riders Name Tim Southee as Bowling Coach for 2026 Season

KKR have appointed New Zealand fast-bowling great Tim Southee as their bowling coach for the IPL 2026 season.

Kolkata Knight Riders have added New Zealand great Tim Southee to their support staff as bowling coach for the IPL 2026 season. Southee arrives with extensive experience from more than 100 Test matches, over 150 ODIs and 120-plus T20Is, during which he collected more than 700 wickets for his country. He has been one of New Zealand’s most reliable fast bowlers for over 15 years, known for skilful swing bowling. He is known for his strong leadership and key contributions in major tournaments, including the 2019 World Cup and the 2021 World Test Championship win.

Southee also brings familiarity with the KKR setup, having represented the franchise in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons. He built a reputation as a steady mentor inside the camp before retiring from international cricket in 2025.

𝙄𝙏’𝙎 𝙎𝙊𝙐𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙀 𝙏𝙄𝙈(𝙀)! 🤩🔥

Welcome back, Tim Southee💜 pic.twitter.com/if2YNGwLCC

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 14, 2025

Tim Southee on Joining KKR

KKR CEO Venky Mysore welcomed Tim Southee’s addition to the support staff. Mysore noted that Southee’s composed presence and understanding of modern fast bowling make him a strong influence for the younger players in the squad.

“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,” he said.

Southee shared his enthusiasm about rejoining the franchise in a new capacity, stating that he has always enjoyed his time with the team and values the environment created by the players and management.

“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,” he said.