New Delhi: Former England captain Kevin Pietersen gave Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) a brutal reality check on their Rs 25.20 crore signing, Cameron Green, who is yet to fire in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. KKR made Green the most expensive overseas signing in IPL history after paying Rs 25.20 crore for him at the IPL 2026 auction last year.
The Australian all-rounder arrived amid high expectations, but the pressure of the price tag seems to have caught up with him as he has struggled to deliver for KKR at no.3. While Green is yet to bowl for KKR in the tournament, he has managed only 24 runs in three matches so far at a dismal average of 8.
Green was dismissed cheaply on 4 off 2 balls in KKR’s clash against Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens on Monday, which ended up getting washed out due to rain. After the early departure of opener Finn Allen, Green came out to bat at no.3 but was sent packing quickly by pacer Xavier Bartlett after edging one to PBKS keeper Prabhsimran Singh.
Speaking about Green’s dismissal in the washed-out game, Pietersen said the Australian all-rounder is not good enough to bat at no.3, questioning KKR’s usage of their most expensive signing of all time. Pietersen said Green is a middle-order batter who can bat a bit and should not be asked to play in the top order.
“I won’t talk about money (auction price), but I don’t think he is good enough for batting at No. 3. He is not bowling. Batting at 3 here and taking on that responsibility. He’s a middle-order batter who bowls a bit, and that’s what he does,” Pietersen said on JioStar.
Green has so far batted twice at no.3 and once at no.4 for KKR in IPL 2026 as the three-time champions continue to struggle to find their right playing XI. KKR were reduced to tatters by Bartlett in the Powerplay on Monday after winning the toss and opting to bat first.
The PBKS pacer got rid of the dangerous Fin Allen cheaply on 6 before removing Green in the same over to leave the hosts reeling at 16/2 in the second over. KKR were 25/2 in 3.4 overs, struggling for rhythm when rain halted the proceedings, leading to a complete washout as both teams shared a point each. It was KKR’s first point of the season after their back-to-back defeats in their first two games.