Cameron Green for KKR in IPL 2026. Image Credits: CREIMAS
IPL 2026 most expensive player Cameron Green has come under early attention. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder has not bowled in the first two IPL matches, which has raised concerns among fans and experts. In games against Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Green did not bowl at all, even though he is known for his all-round abilities.
It is important to note that KKR bought the 26-year-old for INR 25.20 crore in the mini auction. This large amount reflected the team’s expectation that he would take on a role similar to Andre Russell. However, injuries have affected his participation.
Cameron Green comes under scrutiny
The issue became clear during KKR’s opening match. Cameron Green did not bowl against Mumbai Indians, and KKR lost the match by six wickets. He scored 18 runs from 10 balls, which was a quick effort, yet he was not used among the six bowlers. Meanwhile, Mumbai successfully chased a target of 221 with five balls remaining.
After the match, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane was asked about Cameron Green’s absence from bowling. He said that such questions should be directed to Cricket Australia.
Soon after, Cricket Australia clarified the reason. According to their statement, Cameron Green is managing a minor lower back injury. As part of his recovery, he has been advised to avoid bowling for a short period. KKR were already informed about this condition before the tournament began.
Former Indian cricketers share strong opinions
The situation has led to strong reactions from former players. Ambati Rayudu and Piyush Chawla criticised the decision. Notably, after KKR’s second loss against SRH on April 2, former India star Wasim Jaffer also shared his views on social media.
Notably, Jaffer stated that it is unfair for KKR if a player cannot fully contribute in a private league. He pointed out that teams invest large amounts to secure players with specific skills. He wrote,
"Cam Green not bowling is unfair for KKR. Once you’re playing in a private league, it shouldn’t be your country who decides what you can and cannot do during that league. If that’s the case you might as well not play.
Teams pay huge amounts to acquire players with certain skill sets and not using one of the skill sets not because of injury but because of workload management is unfair on the franchise. #KKR #IPL2026"
It is also important to understand Green’s recent injury history. He did not bowl competitively for almost a year, from September 2024 to October 2025. During that time, he underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his back. This explains why his workload is being handled carefully now.
At the same time, KKR are dealing with injuries to several fast bowlers. As a result, the team is relying on a less experienced bowling lineup, which adds more pressure.
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Cameron Green's IPL 2026 performance so far
Meanwhile, Cameron Green’s performance with the bat has also been below expectations. In two matches so far, he has scored only 20 runs, with an average of 10. This has further increased concerns about his overall impact on KKR.
This situation is part of a larger trend. Several Australian pacers in IPL 2026 are either unavailable or playing under restrictions. Josh Hazlewood joined RCB, yet he was not fully fit for the opening match. Mitchell Starc from Delhi Capitals is recovering from shoulder and elbow injuries.
Similarly, Pat Cummins from SRH is out with a stress issue, while Nathan Ellis from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will miss the entire tournament.
KKR will now meet Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their next IPL match at Eden Gardens on Monday, April 6.
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