KKR all-rounder Cameron Green has returned to bowling in the nets ahead of the IPL 2026 clash against SRH, after missing bowling due to a lower-back issue. The move followed skipper Rahane’s comments and Cricket Australia’s clarification. KKR coach defended the INR 25.2 crore acquisition, calling Green a vital long-term asset.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Cameron Green started bowling in the nets ahead of the team’s IPL 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday, April 2.
Cameron Green’s bowling absence from the KKR’s defeat in their opening match against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium sparked a debate, with skipper Ajinkya Rahane pointing fingers at Cricket Australia, saying questions about Green’s role should be directed to the Australian board. However, CA clarified that Green was managing his lower-back issue and the KKR was ‘fully aware’ of his condition.
The CA spokesperson further stated that the Australian all-rounder is expected to return to bowling in 10-12 days. Cameron Green, who was bought for INR 25.2 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction last year, is one of the most expensive players in the tournament, and his all‑round role has been under scrutiny following his absence from the bowling against MI.
Also Read: IPL 2026: Cricket Australia Says ‘KKR Aware’ After Rahane’s Remark On Green’s Bowling Absence vs MI
Green Resumes Bowling in Nets
Ahead of the SRH clash at Eden Gardens Stadium, KKR all-rounder Cameron Green returned to bowling following skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s blunt post-match statement about Cricket Australia’s involvement in his bowling workload.
In a video posted by Kolkata Knight Riders on its X handle (formerly Twitter), Green was seen bowling in full tilt and rattling one of the stumps in the nets, signaling that he is on track to resume his all‑round role for KKR. Green didn’t appear to have any sort of discomfort in the nets and looked in good rhythm.
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Cameron Green has limited his bowling since returning from a serious back injury and has often been used by Australia across all formats, preventing him from taking on a full bowling workload in the IPL.
In the Ashes 2025-26, when Australia successfully defended the urn, the 26-year-old bowled only 61.5 overs across nine innings, indicating a reduced workload. In the T20 World Cup 2026, Green bowled only 3.1 overs in five matches.
‘Cameron Green, The Cricketer, Was Very Important’
The Kolkata Knight Riders were questioned for splurging INR 25.2 crore on Cameron Green despite knowing that the Australian all-rounder cannot return to bowling soon due to a lower back injury. However, head coach Abhishek Sharma defended the franchise’s decision to break the bank to acquire Green.
Speaking at the press conference on the eve of the SRH clash, Nayar stated that the selection of Cameron Green was a long-term strategy, adding that his all-round skills and value over multiple seasons made him a crucial asset for KKR, even if his bowling workload is temporarily managed due to injury concerns.
“Well, I think the idea of picking a player in an auction is not always very short-sighted. You look at what a player has done over a number of years and the skills that he possesses,” the KKR head coach said.
“This sport is interesting in that way that a lot of times you pick up a player with certain progress, and sometimes they may even do the skill you are talking about and not perform. But for us, Cameron Green, the cricketer and the all-rounder, was really important.
“You take a lot of things into consideration at times, whether there is an injury, fitness updates, but eventually, I think when the auction happens and when the tournament happens, it’s not immediate,” he added.
Cameron Green was considered a successor to Andre Russell, who retired from the IPL after he was released by KKR last year. The Australian all-rounder’s return to bowling will depend on his lower-back recovery and managed bowling workload over the next 10–12 days.
Also Read: Ajinkya Rahane Provides Injury Update After Limping Off During KKR’s IPL 2026 Opener Against MI