Ravichandran Ashwin Suggests Pay Cuts for Underperforming IPL Players
Ashwin's Bold Stance on Player Performance
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 21: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 approaches, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his views regarding the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) significant acquisition, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. Ashwin believes that if Green fails to fulfill his bowling quota of four overs, KKR should consider reducing his salary by two crores.
Green, who was signed by KKR for a staggering Rs 25.20 crores, is expected to be a key player in the upcoming season. The three-time champions will kick off their campaign against the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), on March 29 in Mumbai. With Green joining the KKR squad, many are eager to see how he performs, especially given his recent struggles with form.
During the T20 World Cup, Green managed only 24 runs across three innings, with a top score of 21, and bowled just three overs in two matches, claiming one wicket. In his latest Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia against New South Wales (NSW), despite scoring a century, he did not bowl at all.
In the T20 series against Pakistan prior to the World Cup, Green bowled four overs in two games, taking just one wicket. His performance in the 2025/26 Ashes was also underwhelming, with only four wickets from 61.5 overs across five matches, averaging 70.75. As he enters the IPL, Green's lack of recent bowling experience raises concerns.
On his YouTube channel, Ashwin remarked, “There’s a question regarding Cameron Green. Will Cricket Australia permit him to bowl all four overs? That’s a possibility. The Australian board has indicated that while he can participate in the IPL, Test cricket remains a priority, limiting his workload.”
Ashwin argued that IPL franchises should have the authority to adjust player salaries based on performance, particularly in bowling. “If he only bowls two overs, why shouldn’t they deduct two crores? When he entered the IPL auction, the expectation was clear: he would bowl four overs and bat. If there are no bowling restrictions, that’s fine, but if there are, teams should be able to adjust contracts accordingly,” he stated.
He further illustrated his point by saying, “Imagine being Shah Rukh Khan, having invested 25 crores in a player, only to hear him say, ‘I’ll bowl just one over today’ or ‘I’ll bowl only 10 balls.’ How would that make you feel?”