Tim Southee has joined Kolkata Knight Riders for the remaining 31 IPL games (IPL). On Thursday, a franchise official confirmed the New Zealand pacer’s signing (August 26). Southee replaces Pat Cummins, who withdrew from the IPL second leg for to personal reasons.
Southee was unsold in the 2020 auction after six years in the IPL. In the 2019 edition, he played for RCB and had an economy rate of 13 in three games.
The 32-year-old right-arm bowler previously played for Chennai Super Kings, MI, and RCB (RCB). In 40 IPL games, he has 28 wickets at 8.47.
“Tim was a superb player and the New Zealand team’s leader. We expect him to be very effective in the UAE “KKR added. Cummins was purchased by the Kolkata franchise for 15.5 crore in the 2019 IPL auction.
Southee, who would be KKR’s third New Zealander, was expected to be part of the New Zealand team for their Bangladesh and Pakistan tours, but he was not selected by Tom Latham.
Brendon McCullum, who skippered KKR in the Caribbean Premier League, is set to lead KKR in the UAE. “He’ll be back for the IPL,” KKR, which owns the CPL’s Trinbago Knight Riders, stated.
Knight Riders are 7th in the IPL points rankings with 4 points from 2 wins. They hope Southee will spark it. “He will assist Lockie Ferguson. In the UAE, he should be quite efficient with his improved ball talents “KKR remarked.