![Ajinkya Rahane for KKR [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1774848410393_AjinkyaRahaneforKKR.jpg?type=hq)
Ajinkya Rahane for KKR [Source: AFP]
The MI vs KKR IPL 2026 match was a run fest at Wankhede. A total of 440+ was scored on March 29, but it saw the absence of the 2026 auction’s most expensive all-rounder with the ball. Cameron Green, Ajinkya Rahane-led team’s top buy in this IPL, didn’t get an over against the Mumbai Indians to the shock of fans and experts.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane, though, laid the blame on Cricket Australia for his non-bowling in the match. Cameron Green, primarily roped in as an all-rounder, was set to be handy in both departments; however, Rahane’s explosive claim after KKR’s loss had Cricket Australia hit back.
Ajinkya Rahane Slams Cricket Australia After Loss At Wankhede
Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling department was a nightmare at Wankhede as Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton cracked open the attack in the powerplays and later in the middle overs.
Blessing Muzarabani, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Sunil Narine were all taken to the cleaners, and while Ajinkya Rahane was tempted to utilise Green, a later revelation explained why he couldn’t do so.
Also read: KKR's Anukul Roy Takes Early Catch Of The IPL 2026 Contender To Dismiss Rohit Sharma
Speaking later at the post-match press conference, Rahane slammed Cricket Australia for Cameron Green missing out on bowling while pointing out the missed chances because of Green.
“I think when, hopefully, Green starts to bowl, the combination will slightly be different. At the moment, we have to see the balance, guys who can bowl well for us, batting-wise, as I said, we batted really well, but finding that balance with the ball is really important. So hopefully, Green starts to bowl soon. (On why Green can't bowl?) That's the question you need to ask Cricket Australia," Rahane said.
CA Responds To Rahane's Sarcastic Claim After IPL Match
Cricket Australia, though, retorted to Rahane’s furious claim. On Monday, a spokesperson from the cricket body shared that KKR was well aware of the information that Green is nursing a lower-back injury and will not be able to bowl for a certain period of time.
"Cameron has a lower-back injury, which is being managed, but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period. Cameron is currently rebuilding his bowling loads in India with a view to returning in around 10-12 days' time. KKR has been communicated with and is fully aware of this information," a CA spokesperson said as a reply to Ajinkya Rahane.
Cameron Green has been suffering from chronic kidney disease and has been nursing a lower back injury since 2024, and hence his bowling appearances were affected since late 2025.
Nevertheless, the Australian all-rounder has 16 wickets in IPL and 725 runs from 30 matches. With him opting in as a specialist batter for KKR, the bowling lineup was severely exposed in the match.
KKR Bowling Exposed In Cameron Green-Less Attack
Coming in to chase 221 runs on the board, the Mumbai Indians had a furious start, with MI reaching 80 runs at the end of the powerplay. Vaibhav Arora, Blessing Muzarabani, and Varun Chakravarthy were equally thrashed to bring down a required run rate of 11.31 to 10.07.
The thrashing didn't stop before Rohit Sharma lost his wicket in the 12th over to Vaibhav Arora. Nevertheless, the run flow wasn't stifled as no bowler from KKR managed to bowl at an economy rate under 10 in the match.
Impact player Kartik Tyagi was slammed for 43 runs from four overs. Varun Chakravarthy, the mystery spinner, was also hit for 48 runs.
Muzarabani, the new signee for KKR, was also taken apart for 34 runs from just three overs. Hence, with very little experience in the pace department, Ajinkya Rahane’s men were cracked open by Mumbai to finish the chase by six wickets with five balls remaining.
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