New Delhi: At Rs 25.20 crore, Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green is the most expensive player in Kolkata Knight Riders‘ squad but questions have already started to swirl on his worth after he didn’t in loss to Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2026 opener.
Playing only as a batter, Green scored a 10-ball 18 as KKR lost by six wickets in Mumbai, unable to defend a 221-run target at Wankhede Stadium.
Rohit Sharma (78) and Ryan Rickelton (81) set up Mumbai’s win with a 148-run opening wicket stand as KKR bowlers toiled on a surface not assisting bowlers.
After their loss, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane admitted missing Green’s services as a medium pacer, as he has been barred from bowling by Cricket Australia to manage his workload.
Asked the reason for Green not bowling, Rahane said: “That question you need to ask Cricket Australia,” adding that he hopes to Green’s batting makes up for it.
“Hopefully Green starts to bowl soon and the combination will be slightly different. It was really tough (for bowlers). Inexperienced bowling attack, but these boys will learn,” Rahan said.
“Strong batting lineup. So it’s a learning curve. I thought MI batted well. So our bowlers will definitely learn.”
The veteran batter limped off the field during the fourth over of Mumbai’s chase but assured that he only suffered from cramps and not any serious injury.
“Feeling okay but lot of cramps, especially my calves. Hopefully I’ll be okay. I am still young.”
The right hander scored 67 off 41 balls in KKR’s 220 for four and was satisfied with his own batting even though it didn’t matter in the end.
“But yeah really happy with the way I am batting at the moment. We batted really well but finding that balance with the ball is really important,” he added.