Ajinkya Rahane Addresses Cameron Green's Bowling Absence in IPL 2026 Opener
Rahane Discusses Green's Role After KKR's Loss
In the aftermath of Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) six-wicket loss to the Mumbai Indians during their IPL 2026 opener at Wankhede Stadium on March 29, skipper Ajinkya Rahane provided a clear response regarding all-rounder Cameron Green's bowling situation.
KKR acquired Green for an impressive 25.2 crore during the IPL 2026 mini-auction, making him the most expensive overseas player and the third-highest overall in IPL history, following Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.
Making his debut for KKR, Green scored 18 runs off 10 balls, featuring a six and a four, with a strike rate of 180. However, he did not bowl at all, forcing KKR to depend entirely on their other bowlers to manage the Mumbai Indians' batting attack.
Rahane Points to Cricket Australia Regarding Green's Bowling
Green's absence from bowling during the second innings left KKR's bowling lineup under pressure as the Mumbai Indians dominated the chase. In the post-match presentation, when questioned about Green's bowling capabilities, Rahane did not hesitate to direct the inquiry towards Cricket Australia.
"I believe this is a question for Cricket Australia," Rahane stated.
Ravi Shastri: "Why doesn't Cameron Green bowl?" Ajinkya Rahane replied, "I believe this is a question you should ask Cricket Australia."
Green has limited his bowling since recovering from a significant back injury, which has led to his selective use by Australia across formats, limiting his bowling workload in the IPL.
During the 2025-26 Ashes, he bowled only 61.5 overs across nine innings, averaging about 6.5 overs per innings. In the T20 World Cup 2026, he bowled just 3.1 overs in five matches.
Fans React to Cricket Australia's Influence
Rahane's candid remarks have sparked discussions among fans regarding Cricket Australia's involvement in restricting Cameron Green's bowling duties in the IPL. Despite KKR's hefty investment of INR 25.2 crore, fans expressed frustration over Green not bowling a single over in the opening match.
On social media, cricket enthusiasts criticized Cricket Australia for interfering with IPL franchise decisions, questioning the rationale behind paying top dollar for players who are not permitted to bowl, and calling for clearer regulations and accountability in future seasons.
Some fans suggested that if Cricket Australia continues to limit Green's bowling, he should return a portion of his salary, while others questioned why the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and teams continue to accommodate such restrictions.
Concerns Over Future Auctions and Player Management
Fans voiced their concerns about future auctions, suggesting that franchises should reconsider investing heavily in Australian players if their national board continues to impose restrictions. They argued that the IPL should operate independently to foster growth in the sport.
Cameron Green's decision to list himself as a batter rather than an all-rounder during the IPL 2026 mini-auction raised eyebrows, leading to speculation about his prioritization of batting over bowling.
Having missed the previous IPL season due to a back injury, Green's bowling workload has been notably limited in recent years, with only 73.1 overs bowled across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
As the IPL season progresses, it remains uncertain whether Green will resume bowling, as KKR aims for their fourth title.