Kolkata Knight Riders’ high-profile signing of Cameron Green for a record ₹25.20 crore has quickly become a talking point in IPL 2026, but not for the reasons the franchise would have hoped. The Australian all-rounder, acquired for his dual skill set, did not bowl in KKR’s opening game against Mumbai Indians, raising eyebrows among fans and experts alike.
On the field, Green had a modest start to his KKR career, scoring a quick 18 off 10 balls on debut. However, his contribution wasn’t enough to prevent KKR from suffering a defeat after failing to defend a daunting total of 220 at the Wankhede Stadium.
While he did not bowl, Green looked sharp in the field, displaying good athleticism and a strong arm from the deep, indicating that his overall fitness may not be a major concern.
Former opener questions Cameron Green’s antics of not bowling in the IPL 2026 match against MI
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra did not hold back in expressing his concerns over Green’s limited role. Taking to social media, Chopra pointed out the imbalance between what KKR paid and what they received on the field.
He argued that if a franchise spends heavily on an all-rounder but ends up using him only as a batter, it raises valid concerns about value for money. Chopra even went on to suggest that teams should be entitled to some form of “refund” if a player is unable to deliver the complete package they were bought for.
“If you pay for an all-rounder and get a batsman in return… you should be, at the very least, eligible for a refund,” Chopra said in a video shared on X.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane deflects responsibility
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane faced the inevitable question after the team’s defeat but chose to distance himself from the situation. When asked why Green wasn’t handed the ball, Rahane stated that such queries should be directed towards Cricket Australia rather than the team management. His response hinted that the decision may not have been entirely in KKR’s control, fueling speculation about underlying fitness concerns.
Putting an end to the uncertainty, Cricket Australia confirmed that Green is currently managing a lower back injury. According to an official statement, the all-rounder has been advised to temporarily refrain from bowling as part of his recovery process. The board further revealed that Green is gradually rebuilding his bowling workload and is expected to return to full all-round duties within 10 to 12 days. Importantly, KKR management had been informed about this development beforehand, suggesting there was no miscommunication between the franchise and the player’s national board.
Interestingly, Green had initially registered for the IPL 2026 auction as a specialist batter. This created confusion around his availability as an all-rounder. The Australian later clarified that it was an error made by his management and reassured teams that he would be fit to bowl.
