Kolkata Knight Riders are refreshing their coaching staff for IPL 2026. Abhishek Nair has been appointed as the head coach, while Shane Watson comes on board as the assistant coach. Tim Southee is the new bowling coach, taking over from Bharat Arun. Previously, Southee served as a bowling consultant for the England team, marking his inaugural coaching position in the IPL. Southee expressed his excitement about returning to KKR in a coaching capacity. He played for the franchise for three seasons and last participated in 2023, after which he was not acquired by any other team. His experience and composed demeanor are anticipated to assist KKR’s young bowlers in their development.
KKR is looking to improve after a disappointing 2025 season under Ajinkya Rahane, where the team finished eighth with just five victories. This marked a significant decline from 2024, when they clinched the IPL title under Shreyas Iyer. With the introduction of new coaches and innovative strategies, KKR aims for a robust resurgence in the 2026 season.