Cameron Green's Bowling Absence Poses Challenges for KKR in IPL 2026

The Kolkata Knight Riders face challenges in IPL 2026 due to Cameron Green's inability to bowl, raising concerns about team balance. Sunil Gavaskar emphasizes the need for KKR to reassess their lineup, particularly in the middle order. While Green is recovering from a minor injury, he was recently seen bowling in practice, offering hope for his return. Explore how these developments could shape KKR's strategy moving forward.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 5, 2026, 11:42 IST

Cameron Green's Impact on KKR's Strategy

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made headlines last year by acquiring Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for an impressive Rs 25.2 crore during the IPL auction. However, his current inability to bowl has significantly disrupted the team's dynamics in the ongoing IPL 2026 season. KKR's head coach, Abhishek Nayar, expressed that this situation is 'unfortunate', while cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar voiced his concerns regarding Green's contribution to the team.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Gavaskar highlighted the potential imbalance in KKR's lineup due to Green's lack of bowling. He stated, “KKR must reassess their combination if Cameron Green is not bowling. If he cannot contribute with the ball, they may need to consider adding another specialist batter. While he has previously scored a century in the IPL and is a capable batsman, his recent form has been underwhelming. Although he did score a hundred in a recent red-ball match in Australia, the team must closely analyze his performance metrics. Green batting at No. 4 is acceptable, but the real concern lies with the No. 5 and No. 6 spots, where they seem to be facing difficulties.”

KKR's captain, Ajinkya Rahane, also acknowledged that the team's composition has been impacted by Green's inability to bowl. Currently, Green is working on rebuilding his bowling workload in India, aiming for a return in approximately 10 to 12 days. Following KKR's defeat to the Mumbai Indians, Cricket Australia confirmed that Green, who has not bowled since the T20 World Cup, is recovering from a minor lower-back issue. In a positive development for KKR, Cameron Green was spotted bowling during a practice session on Saturday.