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Tim Southee is one of New Zealand’s greatest fast bowlers who has played in the IPL since 2011. The right arm swing bowler has represented multiple franchises throughout his career. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything about Tim Southee’s IPL salary, his career earnings, and his journey through different teams.

Tim Southee IPL Career Overview and Current Status:

Tim Southee last played in IPL during the 2023 season for Kolkata Knight Riders. He went unsold in both the 2024 and 2025 IPL auctions. At 37 years old (as of 2026), Southee has retired from Test cricket but continues to play T20 cricket in various leagues around the world.

Current Status:

• Last IPL Team: Kolkata Knight Riders (2021 to 2023)
• Last IPL Match: April 2023 vs RCB
• IPL 2024 & 2025 Auctions: Unsold
• Total IPL Matches: 54
• Total Wickets: 47
• Career Average: 37.06
• Economy Rate: 8.67

Southee’s IPL journey has been interesting, playing for six different franchises over the years. While he may not have the flashy numbers of some other bowlers, his experience and ability to swing the ball made him valuable for many teams.

Complete IPL Salary History Year by Year:

Tim Southee has earned good money from the IPL over his 12 year career. Here’s the complete breakdown of his earnings:

Season	Team	Salary (INR Crore)	Type
2011	Chennai Super Kings	0.4 Cr	Replacement
2014	Rajasthan Royals	1.2 Cr	Auction
2015	Rajasthan Royals	1.2 Cr	Retained
2016	Mumbai Indians	2.5 Cr	Auction
2017	Mumbai Indians	2.5 Cr	Retained
2018	Royal Challengers Bangalore	1.0 Cr	Auction
2019	Royal Challengers Bangalore	1.0 Cr	Retained
2021	Kolkata Knight Riders	1.5 Cr	Replacement
2022	Kolkata Knight Riders	1.5 Cr	Auction
2023	Kolkata Knight Riders	1.5 Cr	Retained
2024	–	–	Unsold
2025	–	–	Unsold
2026	–	–	Unsold

Total IPL Earnings: Approximately ₹12 to 14.4 crore

Tim Southee’s salary remained fairly stable throughout his IPL career. Unlike some other overseas players, his earnings never crossed ₹2 crore per season. This reflects his role as a supporting bowler rather than a star performer in the league.

1. IPL 2011 Salary: Chennai Super Kings (₹0.4 Crore)

Tim Southee started his IPL journey with Chennai Super Kings as a replacement player in 2011. He earned around ₹40 lakh for this season. Southee was not picked in the original auction but got his chance after New Zealand’s good World Cup performance. He made his debut against Kolkata Knight Riders and delivered a brilliant last over, conceding just 6 runs to help CSK win by 2 runs. This debut performance showed his potential under pressure. He was part of CSK’s championship winning squad that year. Although he played limited matches, being part of a title winning team was special. His swing bowling caught the attention of other franchises for future seasons.

2. IPL 2014 Salary: Rajasthan Royals (₹1.2 Crore)

After three years away from IPL, Tim Southee returned in 2014 with Rajasthan Royals for ₹1.2 crore. The gap helped him improve his T20 skills in other leagues. Rajasthan wanted an experienced overseas bowler who could swing the new ball. Southee provided exactly that with his accurate line and length. He troubled batsmen in the powerplay overs with his movement. His economy rate in key games helped Rajasthan stay competitive. The season helped him re establish himself in the IPL circuit. Though his wicket count was moderate, his control was valuable. Rajasthan decided to retain him for the next season based on his reliability.

3. IPL 2015 Salary: Rajasthan Royals (₹1.2 Crore)

Rajasthan Royals retained Tim Southee for the same price of ₹1.2 crore in 2015. He continued his role as a supporting pace bowler in the squad. Southee’s consistency made him a dependable choice for the team management. His ability to bowl in both powerplay and death overs was useful. He took important wickets at crucial moments during the season. The experience of playing two continuous seasons helped him understand IPL better. His partnership with other bowlers strengthened Rajasthan’s bowling attack. Though the team didn’t win the title, Southee fulfilled his responsibilities well. After two seasons, both parties decided to move on to new opportunities.

4. IPL 2016 Salary: Mumbai Indians (₹2.5 Crore)

Mumbai Indians bought Tim Southee for ₹2.5 crore in 2016, doubling his previous salary. This was his highest IPL salary at that time. MI wanted a quality swing bowler to strengthen their pace attack. Southee delivered good performances throughout the season for Mumbai. His ability to swing the new ball troubled many top order batsmen. He became an important part of MI’s bowling plans. The increased salary reflected his growing reputation in T20 cricket. Southee’s experience and calm approach benefited the younger bowlers. Mumbai was happy with his contributions and decided to retain him. This season marked the start of his most successful IPL phase.

5. IPL 2017 Salary: Mumbai Indians (₹2.5 Crore)

Mumbai Indians retained Tim Southee for ₹2.5 crore in 2017. This turned out to be a championship winning season for MI. Southee played a key role in Mumbai’s title triumph with important spells. His swing bowling in the powerplay gave MI early breakthroughs. He bowled well in pressure situations during crucial matches. The 2017 IPL title was his second championship after CSK in 2011. His partnership with other MI pacers made their bowling attack feared. Southee proved his worth as a reliable overseas bowler. His economy in the death overs was particularly impressive. After winning another title, he moved on to explore new challenges.

6. IPL 2018 Salary: Royal Challengers Bangalore (₹1 Crore)

Royal Challengers Bangalore signed Tim Southee for ₹1 crore in 2018. RCB needed experienced bowlers to lead their pace attack. Southee brought his championship winning experience to Bangalore. He delivered several impactful spells that showcased his skills. RCB relied on his experience to guide younger bowlers in the squad. His tactical knowledge helped the team in match situations. Though RCB struggled as a team, Southee’s individual performances were decent. He adapted to different pitch conditions across various venues. His leadership on the field was valuable for the franchise. RCB retained him for another season based on his contributions.

7. IPL 2019 Salary: Royal Challengers Bangalore (₹1 Crore)

Royal Challengers Bangalore retained Tim Southee for ₹1 crore in 2019. This was his second and final season with RCB. Southee continued his role as a senior bowler in the squad. He executed yorkers well in the death overs when needed. His calm demeanor under pressure was helpful for the team. Though RCB had another disappointing season overall, Southee maintained professionalism. He provided valuable inputs to the team’s bowling strategies. After two seasons with moderate success, both parties decided to part ways. This marked a break in his IPL career for two years. He focused on international cricket and other T20 leagues during this gap.

8. IPL 2021 Salary: Kolkata Knight Riders (₹1.5 Crore)

Tim Southee joined Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement player for ₹1.5 crore in 2021. This was his highest IPL salary, showing his continued value. KKR needed an experienced overseas pacer for the UAE leg of the tournament. Southee played only 3 matches but made his presence felt. His experience helped KKR in the crucial final stages of the tournament. KKR reached the final that year, with Southee contributing to the campaign. Though he had limited game time, his impact was valuable. The franchise saw enough potential to buy him again in the next auction. This marked the beginning of his three year association with KKR.

9. IPL 2022 Salary: Kolkata Knight Riders (₹1.5 Crore)

Kolkata Knight Riders bought Tim Southee back for ₹1.5 crore in the 2022 mega auction. KKR valued his experience and wanted continuity in their pace attack. Southee played 9 matches and took 14 wickets at an average of 39.50. His economy rate in key games was crucial for KKR’s bowling plans. He mentored younger fast bowlers in the squad effectively. His tactical understanding of the game added value beyond statistics. Southee’s ability to bowl in different phases of the innings was helpful. KKR was satisfied with his overall contribution to the team. They decided to retain him for the next season as well.

10. IPL 2023 Salary: Kolkata Knight Riders (₹1.5 Crore)

Kolkata Knight Riders retained Tim Southee for ₹1.5 crore in 2023. This turned out to be his last IPL season. Southee played only 2 matches, getting limited opportunities. His last IPL match was against RCB in April 2023 at Eden Gardens. He bowled economically but couldn’t get wickets in those games. At 34 years old, competition from younger bowlers affected his selection. Despite limited game time, he remained a valuable squad member. His experience and leadership qualities were appreciated by the team. After this season, KKR released him ahead of the 2024 auction. This ended his 12 year IPL career spanning six different franchises.

11. IPL 2024: Unsold

Tim Southee went unsold in the IPL 2024 auction. At 35 years old, franchises preferred younger overseas bowlers. His economy rate of 8.67 in IPL career didn’t attract high bids. Many teams wanted bowlers who could bat as well, which wasn’t Southee’s strength. The rise of younger fast bowlers meant limited spots for experienced players. Southee focused on international cricket and other T20 leagues instead. He played in leagues like The Hundred and other franchise tournaments. His reputation remained strong outside the IPL. Not being picked didn’t diminish his achievements in world cricket. He accepted this phase gracefully and continued playing in other formats.

12. IPL 2025 & 2026: Unsold

Tim Southee remained unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction as well. Franchises continued their trend of picking younger players over veterans. At 36 to 37 years old, age became a factor against him. Southee had retired from Test cricket in 2024, focusing on white ball cricket. Despite being available, no team showed strong interest in bidding. His salary expectations might have also affected bidding decisions. However, he remained active in other T20 leagues worldwide. Southee took up a coaching role with England cricket as a skills consultant. His focus shifted towards mentoring and coaching while playing occasionally. The IPL chapter of his career had concluded, but his impact remained memorable.

Teams Tim Southee Played For in IPL:

Tim Southee represented six different IPL franchises during his career:

Chennai Super Kings (2011)

• His first IPL team as a replacement player
• Won the IPL championship in debut season
• Made instant impact with brilliant death bowling

Rajasthan Royals (2014 to 2015)

• Played two consecutive seasons
• Provided stability to the bowling attack
• Salary: ₹1.2 crore per season

Mumbai Indians (2016 to 2017)

• Most successful phase of IPL career
• Won IPL 2017 championship
• Salary: ₹2.5 crore per season

Royal Challengers Bangalore (2018 to 2019)

• Two seasons with RCB
• Led the pace attack
• Salary: ₹1 crore per season

Kolkata Knight Riders (2021 to 2023)

• Longest continuous stint with one team
• Played until his last IPL season
• Salary: ₹1.5 crore per season

Performance vs Salary Analysis:

When we look at Tim Southee’s IPL numbers compared to his salary, the value proposition was reasonable:

Overall IPL Stats:

• Matches: 54
• Wickets: 47
• Average: 37.06
• Economy: 8.67
• Best Figures: 3/20

Value Assessment:

Southee never commanded huge salaries like some overseas bowlers. His maximum salary was ₹1.5 crore, which is modest by IPL standards. Teams paid him for experience and reliability rather than flashy performances. His economy rate of 8.67 is decent but not outstanding. At an average cost of ₹1 crore per season, he provided fair value.

His two IPL championships (2011 CSK, 2017 MI) justify his selections. Teams valued his ability to bowl in pressure situations. His mentoring of younger bowlers added extra value. Overall, Southee delivered what teams expected for the price paid.

How Tim Southee’s Salary Compares to Other Bowlers?

Tim Southee’s IPL salary was significantly lower than many other overseas fast bowlers:

Comparison with Top Bowlers:

• Mitchell Starc: ₹24.75 crore (2024)
• Trent Boult: ₹12.5 crore (2025)
• Kagiso Rabada: ₹10.75 crore (2024)
• Pat Cummins: ₹20.5 crore (2024)
• Tim Southee: ₹1.5 crore (maximum)

Southee ranks among the lower paid overseas bowlers. This reflects his supporting role rather than being a strike bowler. His age and economy rate affected his market value. However, his experience and two championships show quality beyond salary. Not all valuable players earn the highest salaries.

Factors That Affected Tim Southee’s IPL Salary:

Several factors influenced how much Southee earned in IPL:

1. Role in the Team Southee was usually a third or fourth bowling option. Teams didn’t rely on him as the main wicket taker. Supporting roles generally earn less than lead bowlers. His consistent but not spectacular numbers reflected this.

2. Economy Rate An economy of 8.67 is acceptable but not great in T20. Franchises prefer bowlers with economy under 8.0. This limited his earning potential in auctions. Teams wanted better control at the death overs.

3. Age Factor Southee was already 22 when IPL started in 2008. By the time he became regular, he was in his late twenties. Older players find it harder to get high bids. Teams prefer younger players with more years ahead.

4. Batting Ability Southee’s batting, while useful in Tests, wasn’t a strength in T20. Modern IPL values all rounders who can contribute with bat. His lower order hitting didn’t add much value. Teams prefer bowlers who can also score quick runs.

5. Competition Availability of many quality overseas fast bowlers affected his price. Each team can only play 4 overseas players. Better bowlers were available for similar prices. This kept his salary in the moderate range.

6. Injury Record: Southee had a relatively clean injury record. This consistency helped maintain his employability. Teams knew he would be available when picked. Reliability kept him in demand despite a moderate salary.

Total Career Earnings from IPL:

Let’s calculate Tim Southee’s total earnings from his IPL career:

Direct IPL Salaries:

• 2011 (CSK): ₹0.4 crore
• 2014 to 2015 (RR): ₹2.4 crore
• 2016 to 2017 (MI): ₹5.0 crore
• 2018 to 2019 (RCB): ₹2.0 crore
• 2021 to 2023 (KKR): ₹4.5 crore

Total Match Fees: ₹14.4 crore approximately

Adding prize money from two championship wins (2011, 2017) and performance bonuses, his total IPL income is estimated at ₹12 to 13 crore. Some sources suggest his total IPL income reached ₹12.86 crore over his entire career.

While this is far less than top earning players, it’s still significant income. For someone in a supporting role, these earnings are respectable. Southee also earned well from other T20 leagues worldwide. His total T20 league earnings across all tournaments would be substantially higher.

Why Tim Southee Went Unsold and Career After IPL?

After 2023, Tim Southee couldn’t find a place in IPL auctions. Here’s why:

Reasons for Going Unsold:

• Age: 35+ when auctions happened
• Economy rate not impressive for modern T20
• Better and younger options available
• Teams wanted bowlers who could also bat
• Base price might have been too high

Career After IPL:

Southee didn’t retire from T20 cricket. He continues playing in various leagues:

• The Hundred (Birmingham Phoenix)
• Other franchise leagues worldwide
• Retired from Test cricket in December 2024
• Took up coaching role with England cricket in 2025

His appointment as England’s bowling consultant shows his expertise is valued. At 37 years old, he brings years of experience to coaching. While his playing career winds down, his involvement in cricket continues. The transition from player to mentor is progressing smoothly.

Conclusion:

Tim Southee’s IPL salary journey reflects his role as an experienced supporting bowler rather than a marquee player. From earning ₹40 lakh in 2011 to a maximum of ₹1.5 crore in his later years, his earnings remained modest compared to top stars.

His total IPL career earnings of approximately ₹12 to 13 crore over 12 years show steady income from the league. More importantly, he won two IPL championships (2011, 2017) which defines success beyond just salary numbers.

Key Takeaways:

• Last IPL salary: ₹1.5 crore with KKR (2023)
• Total career earnings: ₹12 to 13 crore from IPL
• Six teams played for: CSK, RR, MI, RCB, KKR
• Two IPL championships Won: (2011, 2017)
• Career stats: 47 wickets in 54 matches

Though Southee went unsold in recent auctions, his IPL legacy remains intact. His experience, two titles, and professional approach made him a valuable team member. At a time when he’s transitioning to coaching, his IPL journey stands as a testament to consistency and professionalism.

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