Kolkata Knight Riders are in the midst of a brewing storm as they languish in the bottom half of the point’s table in the ongoing IPL. They finished the first phase of the tournament with two victories in five games and are rooted in the seventh spot on the points table. However, they managed to forge a few smiles by roping in Tim Southee for the remainder of the tournament.
They will have to pull off something magical in order to eye for the play-offs and being candid it almost looks impossible for the two-time champions.
To aggravate matters for them, they will be missing the likes of their star bowler, Pat Cummins, who has withdrawn from the tournament citing personal reasons. Eoin Morgan is still not assured of joining the ranks, and KKR is hot on the heels of the English captain of the shortest format.
However, as a replacement for Pat Cummins, KKR laid their hands on another star fast bowler, Tim Southee, one of the best that the Black Caps had to offer over the past decade.
He is fast and is capable of swinging the ball early in the innings that can promise him a wicket or two in the powerplay. He will most likely be joining forces with his national compatriot, Lockie Ferguson, to start bowling.
When it comes to the shortest format of the game, he is in blistering form as he has managed to scalp figures of 3 for 15, 2 for 21, 2 for 38 and 2 for 10 in the latest T20 internationals that he was a part of.
He had his previous share in IPL where people remember him for his stint with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. From the 40 matches that he has played so far, he has managed to claim 28 wickets at an economy rate of 8.73.
His breakthrough season in the IPL was in 2016 where he claimed 9 wickets from 11 matches. Twitter seemed happy with the substitute of Pat Cummins, as the Kiwi fast bowler brings a lot of promise along with himself.
KKR has signed Tim Southee for IPL 2021 as the replacement of Pat Cummins.#IPL2021 #IPL #IPLinUAE #TimSouthee #Cricket pic.twitter.com/eRKaxUUwQX
Advertisement— ABDULLAH NEAZ (@AbdullahNeaz) August 26, 2021
Welcome Tim Southee😘. Pat Cummins said that he wouldn't able to play the second league of IPL for some personal reasons. Tim Southee is the replacement of Pat Cummins👏. This is excited to see two kiwi pacers in action. 😎😎💜💜💜#IPL2021 #KKR pic.twitter.com/UJE4tZ3ttG
Advertisement— PRADYOT DAS (@PRADYOTDAS12) August 26, 2021
Looking for positives here:
AdvertisementTim Southee is on 6th position, in ICC T20I Bowlers Ranking and highest ranked fast bowler.
Plus he is much improved in this format recently, and he is really well in the powerplay. pic.twitter.com/oXhkaVcy0d
— 𝙨𝙤𝙝𝙤𝙢 ४ (@AwaaraHoon) August 26, 2021
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Brendon McCullum made all these notes just to sign Tim Southee in place of Pat Cummins for IPL 2021 phase 2 😭#IPL #KKR pic.twitter.com/fYV2mGgBql
— India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) August 26, 2021
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KKR pick Tim Southee as Pat Cummins's replacement, reports Cricbuzz. This will be Southee's 5th IPL team. He has represented Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians & Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) August 26, 2021
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Interesting comments on Tim Southee.
Basically great in the powerplay, just that KKR shouldn't bowl him at death overs (if he plays). pic.twitter.com/gRYCUrUkow
Advertisement— 𝙨𝙤𝙝𝙤𝙢 ४ (@AwaaraHoon) August 26, 2021
Extend the list, and on 6th position Knight Tim Southee is there 😁 pic.twitter.com/OsjgJGG1jR
Advertisement— 𝙨𝙤𝙝𝙤𝙢 ४ (@AwaaraHoon) August 26, 2021
JUST IN: KKR pick Tim Southee to replace Pat Cummins #IPL2021
Advertisement— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 26, 2021
