Kolkata Knight Riders have signed New Zealand pacer Tim Southee for the IPL-2021 Phase-2, starting from 19 September in the UAE. Saudi will replace Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins. Cummins has distanced himself from Phase 2. It is believed that they want to focus on the Ashes series starting later this year. Apart from this, Rajasthan Royals have signed Tabrez Shamsi, Punjab Kings have signed Adil Rashid and Royal Challengers Bangalore have signed George Garten.
KKR have picked New Zealand’s fast bowler Tim Southee in place of Pat Cummins for the remaining matches of the 14th season of IPL. Tim Southee has played IPL in the past too, but his record has not been as good as a bowler in this league. The Saudis have played for four teams in the IPL so far, but they have not been able to perform exceptionally for any of the franchises that has been expected of them.
In 2011, he made his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings and since then he has played a total of 40 matches for Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, but has taken only 28 wickets. Kolkata Knight Riders will be Tim Southee’s fifth franchise in IPL and now it remains to be seen whether this new franchise will be a change of fortunes for Tim Southee?
