Cameron Green bowling in KKR nets [Source: KKRiders/X.com]
The early days of IPL 2026 saw a controversy erupt between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Cricket Australia. The KKR captain, Ajinkya Rahane, and Australian head coach, Andrew McDonald, were seen firing shots at each other regarding Cameron Green’s bowling availability in the tournament.
Despite the star all-rounder clearing the air around his fitness after registering as a batter in the auction, he did not bowl a single over in KKR’s opening match against the Mumbai Indians. The depleted Knight Riders bowling attack conceded 224 in the second innings, while Green watched the ball sail over his head before the Knight Riders provided some positive news on the situation.
Watch- Green rattles stumps in KKR nets
Just a day ahead of their second match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Knight Riders’ social media accounts posted a video of Cameron Green bowling in the nets.
Bowling in the net without a batter, testing out his back, Green rattled the wickets as the franchise hinted his return "👀⏳"
Watch- Cameron Green returns to bowling
The last time Green was seen bowling in a competitive match was during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against Oman, ending with 0/11 in the two overs at Pallekele.
Also Read: Australia Targeted, KKR Backed Over Cameron Green’s Non-Bowling Row In IPL 2026
When will Cameron Green bowl in IPL 2026?
Having missed the first match of the season with the ball, it was learned that Green is unavailable to bowl in the league for the first 10 to 12 days. This is due to the persistent back issues that the player has been nursing over the last 15-18 months.
According to KKR’s schedule, he could be seen back bowling in Match 22 of the season against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 14, away from home.
Weeks ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25, he had undergone surgery for his stress fracture, missing 6-7 months of cricket.
After easing into the bowling duties, the CA have been extra-cautious with the player, considering the high-intensity cricket scheduled till the end of World Cup 2027. They will be touring to Bangladesh, South Africa and India before the Ashes 2027, where Green will be a crucial part of the team.
Cameron Green central to KKR’s IPL 2026 aspirations
The Kolkata Knight Riders have gone through an overhaul ahead of IPL 2026 after a dreadful campaign last year, finishing 8th on the table. While defending their title, they only managed 5 wins in 14 matches, which prompted a plethora of changes in their setup.
Alongside the coaches, they let go of their marquee overseas star, Andre Russell, ahead of the auctions and went in with almost a clean slate. The 26-year-old Australian all-rounder was bought by them for a whopping INR 25.20 crore after a fierce bid-war between KKR and CSK.
While Cameron Green has taken up the role at number 3, unlike Russell, he is expected to create a similar impact across departments, and his bowling will remain a crucial part of KKR’s plans. In the first match, he scored 18 off 10, and how he fares with both bat and bowl could determine where KKR finishes this season.
Also Read: Karachi Kings Predicted Playing XI vs Rawalpindiz, PSL 2026, Match 10

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