South African spinner Johan Botha has been drafted into the Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad for the coming Indian Premier League.

KKR, the defending champions of the IPL, had to make two changes to their squad due to injuries to Jimmy Neesham and Chris Lynn.

The IPL starts on the 8th of April.

Veteran cricketer Azhar Mahmood has come into the side for Neesham while Botha has been brought in for Lynn.

During Queensland’s Sheffield Shield game against South Australia, Lynn suffered a hamstring injury which has caused him to miss the forthcoming season of IPL. He was retained by KKR but now has to make way for Botha (32) who was bought for his base price of approximately R1.9 million.

New Zealand all-rounder Neesham too had to pull out of the eighth edition of the T20 tournament due to injury. His replacement, Mahmood, was inducted into the squad for the base price of R964 000. The England based all-rounder played for Kings XI Punjab earlier and brings with him loads of experience in to the KKR camp.

Botha recently left the Adelaide Strikers for the Sydney Sixers ahead of this year’s Big Bash League – Australia’s premier domestic Twenty20 tournament.

Botha, who joined the Strikers in 2011 and clinched 27 wickets in 20 matches, has signed a three-year contract with the Sixers.

‘We were keen to retain Johan and we put what we believed to be our best offer on the table with a two-year contract. Unfortunately Johan has decided to look elsewhere for opportunities and we wish him the best,’ said South Australia Cricket Association high performance general manager Tim Nielsen.

‘Johan’s influence with the Strikers in the BBL has been significant and we are excited about our young group who are ready to take us forward.’

The Adelaide franchise, meanwhile, have retained West Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard.

Botha represented the Proteas in five Tests, 78 ODIs and 40 T20Is between November 2005 and October 2012.