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Cameron Green, who was bought for ₹25.20 crore by KKR at the auction, didn't bowl against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium. Cricket Australian opened up on what stopped Green from bowling in KKR's IPL 2026 opener.
Cameron Green (L) discusses a point with KK head coach Abhishek Nayar during training. Ajinkya Rahane's mention of Cricket Australia in public seems to have moved things fast for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as Cameron Green was caught on camera, bowling full tilt at the nets in Kolkata, just hours ahead of their much-important clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
It all started when Australian all-rounder Green didn't bowl during KKR's loss to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Skipper Rahane ignited the buzz at the post-match presentation with his "you need to ask Cricket Australia" remark when asked about why Green didn't bowl.
Soon after Cricket Australia (CA) responded that KKR's ₹25.20 crore buy is currently dealing with a minor back complaint and the three-time IPL champions were well briefed about the same. "Cameron has a lower back injury which is being managed but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period," cricket.com.au quoted a CA spokesperson saying.
“Cameron is currently rebuilding his bowling loads in India with a view to return in around 10-12 days' time. KKR has been communicated with and is fully aware of this information,” the report added. A day later, Green was seen baby steps towards his return with the ball. The 26-year-old bowled on an empty net, and hit the bulls eye, shattering the middle stump.
Why KKR need Cameron Green the bowler?
With injuries ruling out India pacers Harshit Rana and Akash Deep of IPL 2026, KKR were in deep trouble even before the tournament began. To add more misery, Sri Lankan recruit Matheesha Pathirana is yet to recover from his injury sustained during the T20 World Cup 2026.
With the likes of inexperienced Kartik Tyagi and Blessing Muzarabani, KKR struggled against Mumbai Indians. If Green starts bowling, it would help KKR as far as their bowling is concerned, adding some sharpness to an already depleted pace attack. It will be interesting to see if KKR hand the ball to Green against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
What did Abhishek Nayar say on Cameron Green?
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar emphasised that KKR's auction strategy is rooted in long-term value rather than short-term returns. “From an auction strategy point of view, the idea is never short-term. You look at what a player has consistently done over the years and the overall skill set he brings,” Nayar continued.
“For us, Cameron Green as a cricketer and an all-rounder was extremely important, and we continue to believe in what he can offer at his best.”
About the Author
Koushik Paul
Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.
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