IPL 2026: Why Cameron Green didn't bowl after batting heroics during GT vs KKR? Captain Ajinkya Rahane explains

Cameron Green finally came off the blocks to score his first Indian Premier League (IPL) half-century in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) colours on Friday against Gujarat Titans in a losing cause. While the whole KKR batting line-up failed collectively, it was Green's 79 off 55 balls took the three-time champions to 180 all out at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Bought for an astonishing ₹25.20 crore, Green didn't bowl in the first few games owing to a minor back issue. He bowled for the first time against Lucknow Super Giants with a wicket of Rishabh Pant on the second delivery he bowled in this edition of the tournament. Since then Green bowled a total of four overs only to conceded 58 runs with just Pant's wicket to show.

With KKR's bowling looking clueless once again, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side needed Green the bowler while defending 181. While he took a sensational catch to dismiss rival captain Shubman Gill, the Australian didn't come to bowl, raising much speculations among the fans and experts.

Rahane shut all the doubts with an update on Green during the post-match presser. “He was actually struggling with his cramps. That's the reason he was in and out on the field as well. So that's the reason he didn't bowl,” said Rahane when asked why Green didn't bowl against Gujarat Titans.

Defending 181, KKR bowler once again failed to live up to the expectations