Kolkata Knight Riders have completed a significant overhaul of their coaching staff ahead of the IPL 2026 season, with New Zealand pacer Tim Southee officially joining as the team’s bowling coach. The announcement follows the earlier appointment of Abhishek Nayar as the head coach, replacing Chandrakant Pandit after the 2025 campaign, and the addition of Shane Watson as assistant coach. The restructuring comes at a crucial time as franchises prepare for the IPL 2026 retention day. Southee, one of New Zealand cricket’s most prolific fast bowlers, brings over 15 years of international experience, featuring in more than 100 Tests, 150 ODIs, and 120 T20Is. With over 700 wickets across formats and leadership stints including New Zealand’s 2019 ICC World Cup and 2021 World Test Championship campaigns, his expertise is expected to significantly bolster KKR’s bowling unit. Having previously represented the franchise during the 2021, 2022, and 2023 IPL seasons, Southee emphasized his familiarity with the team. He 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." Read also: Will Lucknow Super Giants retain Mayank Yadav? Reports suggests key players' release KKR leadership confident in experience and mentorship Venky Mysore, KKR CEO, highlighted the impact of Southee’s appointment. “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.” Shane Watson also shared his excitement, stating, “It’s a great honour to be part of a franchise as iconic as Kolkata Knight Riders. I’ve always admired the passion of KKR fans and the team’s commitment to excellence. I’m eager to work closely with the coaching group and players to help bring another title to Kolkata.” With the new coaching setup now in place, KKR has intensified its preparations, aiming to fine-tune strategies and reinforce the squad ahead of the IPL 2026 retention day and subsequent auction.