Tim Southee
Role: Bowler
DOB: 11 December 1988
IPL Team (2026): Unsold/Retired
Base Price: Not applicable (Last played 2022)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 54 | 18 | 8 | 58 | 11* | 5.80 | 50 | 116.00 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 14 |
| 2022 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1* | 1.00 | 1 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 11* | 6.50 | 10 | 130.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 1 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 6* | 3.66 | 12 | 91.66 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 7.00 | 10 | 140.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2012 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 9 | 5.50 | 11 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7* | – | 4 | 175.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 54 | 1160 | 1774 | 31 | 3/20 | 57.22 | 9.17 | 37.4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 9 | 192 | 300 | 6 | 3/20 | 50.00 | 9.37 | 32.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 60 | 87 | 3 | 2/26 | 29.00 | 8.70 | 20.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 5 | 120 | 201 | 5 | 3/24 | 40.20 | 10.05 | 24.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3 | 72 | 114 | 3 | 2/28 | 38.00 | 9.50 | 24.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 240 | 387 | 9 | 3/29 | 43.00 | 9.67 | 26.6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 | 96 | 162 | 1 | 1/36 | 162.00 | 10.12 | 96.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 6 | 144 | 209 | 6 | 2/28 | 34.83 | 8.70 | 24.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 6 | 120 | 180 | 6 | 2/17 | 30.00 | 9.00 | 20.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 7 | 168 | 134 | 2 | 1/14 | 67.00 | 4.78 | 84.0 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Tim Southee
From the picturesque landscapes of New Zealand, Tim Southee burst onto the international scene with a reputation for classic swing bowling, a craft he honed to perfection. His ability to move the new ball both ways, coupled with a deceptive slower ball, made him a formidable opponent in Test and ODI cricket. The IPL, however, presented a different beast – a high-octane T20 format where swing could be a weapon but also a liability on flat decks.
Southee’s IPL journey began in 2011 with the Rajasthan Royals, where he showed glimpses of his potential, notably an economical spell of 1/14 against Mumbai Indians. While his international career flourished, his IPL presence often saw him as a rotational player, brought in for specific conditions or when other overseas pacers were unavailable. His breakthrough IPL moments were less about sustained dominance and more about crucial spells under pressure, leveraging his experience and subtle variations.
His playing style is characterized by a high arm action, generating natural outswing to right-handers and a potent inswinger. In the IPL, he adapted by adding cutters and slower balls, attempting to mitigate the onslaught of power-hitters. While he could be expensive, his knack for picking up wickets, especially in the powerplay, remained a valuable asset. He was often the bowler tasked with breaking partnerships or providing early breakthroughs, a role he embraced with his characteristic calm demeanor.
Despite a career that spanned over a decade in the IPL, Southee’s impact was often measured in crucial cameos rather than chart-topping performances. His experience, however, made him a respected figure in every dressing room, a mentor to younger pacers, and a reliable option when the team needed a wicket-taking bowler who could handle the big moments.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Tim Southee’s IPL career saw him don the jerseys of several franchises, a testament to his consistent international form and the value of an experienced swing bowler. His journey began with the Rajasthan Royals in 2011, where he was picked for $100,000. He played two seasons (2011-2012), featuring in 13 matches and picking up 8 wickets. His economy of 4.78 in 2011 was particularly impressive, showcasing his ability to control runs.
He then moved to Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 for INR 1 crore (approx. $160,000), playing for them in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, he picked up 6 wickets in 6 matches, but 2015 was a lean year with just 1 wicket from 4 games. Following this, the Mumbai Indians acquired him for INR 2.5 crore (approx. $375,000) in 2016. He had his most active IPL season with MI in 2016, playing 11 matches and securing 9 wickets. He continued with MI in 2017, playing 3 matches and taking 3 wickets.
In 2018, he returned to Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 1 crore, playing 5 matches and picking up 5 wickets, with a memorable 3/24 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was then picked by Chennai Super Kings in 2019 for INR 1 crore but did not feature in any matches that season. After going unsold in 2020, he made a comeback with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2021 as a replacement player. He played 3 matches in 2021, taking 3 wickets, and continued with KKR in 2022, playing 9 matches and adding 6 more wickets to his tally, including his IPL best of 3/20 against Mumbai Indians. His final IPL appearance was in 2022, and he has since remained unsold, likely marking the end of his IPL playing career.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
For bettors, Tim Southee was always a bowler of specific utility. His primary strength lay in his ability to swing the new ball, making him a potential wicket-taker in the powerplay. On pitches with even a hint of green or atmospheric assistance, betting on Southee for an early wicket or a good powerplay economy could yield returns. His career economy rate of 9.17, however, indicates he could be expensive, especially on flat Indian tracks or when bowling in the death overs.
Strengths for Betting:
- New Ball Wickets: Southee’s classic outswing and inswing made him a threat in the first six overs. Bet on “Southee to take a wicket in the powerplay” if conditions favour swing.
- Experience Under Pressure: Despite a high economy, he often delivered crucial breakthroughs. In tight matches, his experience could lead to unexpected wickets.
- Team Role: Often used as a frontline bowler, guaranteeing his quota of overs, which is good for “total wickets” markets.
Weaknesses & Considerations:
- Death Over Expense: His lack of extreme pace and reliance on swing made him vulnerable to power-hitters at the death. Betting against his economy in the final overs was often a safer play.
- Pitch Dependency: On flat, dry Indian pitches, his primary weapon was blunted, leading to higher economy rates and fewer wickets. Check pitch reports carefully.
- Consistency: While he could have brilliant spells, his overall IPL consistency in terms of wickets and economy was moderate, making him a riskier bet for season-long top bowler markets.
Strategic Insights: Consider Southee for “Player of the Match” only if he delivers an exceptional powerplay spell and his team wins. For “Most Wickets” in a match, he was a dark horse, but his BBI of 3/20 shows he could deliver. His fielding, with 14 catches, also added value, though rarely enough to sway betting outcomes.
Key Records & Milestones
- Most Matches for a New Zealand Pacer: With 54 IPL appearances, Southee is among the most experienced New Zealand fast bowlers in the tournament’s history.
- Best Bowling Figures: 3/20 in 4 overs against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Consistent Powerplay Threat: Known for his ability to pick up early wickets, particularly in the powerplay, throughout his IPL career.
- Multi-Franchise Player: Represented five different IPL franchises (Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders), showcasing his adaptability and demand.
IPL Season Highlights
While Tim Southee’s IPL career was a journey of consistent contributions rather than explosive individual seasons, a few years stand out for his impact:
IPL 2011 (Rajasthan Royals): This was Southee’s debut season, and he made an immediate impression with his economical bowling. Playing 7 matches, he picked up 2 wickets but maintained an outstanding economy rate of 4.78. His spell of 1/14 against Mumbai Indians was a particular highlight, demonstrating his control and ability to stifle scoring in the powerplay, a rare feat in T20 cricket.
IPL 2016 (Mumbai Indians): Southee had his most active IPL season with Mumbai Indians, playing 11 matches and taking 9 wickets. While his economy was higher (9.67), he was a regular feature in the playing XI, often providing crucial breakthroughs. His 3/29 against Sunrisers Hyderabad was a key performance, helping MI restrict the opposition and showcasing his wicket-taking ability when given an extended run.
IPL 2022 (Kolkata Knight Riders): In what would be his final IPL season, Southee showed he still had gas in the tank. Playing 9 matches, he picked up 6 wickets, with his best IPL figures of 3/20 coming against his former team, Mumbai Indians. In that match, he dismantled MI’s middle order, picking up the crucial wickets of Ishan Kishan, Daniel Sams, and Tim David, significantly contributing to KKR’s dominant victory. This season highlighted his enduring ability to perform under pressure and deliver match-winning spells.