Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer feels that Cameron Green not bowling in IPL 2026 is ‘unfair’ for Kolkata Knight Riders. The Aussie all-rounder was purchased for ₹25.20 crore at the auction, as a long-term replacement for retired legend Andre Russell. But this season, he has featured only as a batter in KKR’s opening two defeats.
In Mumbai, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane was asked why Green didn’t bowl in their IPL opener, and he simply said, “Ask Cricket Australia”.
Meanwhile, CA has also confirmed that Green is recovering from a minor lower back problem and has discussed the timeline for his return to bowling with KKR. On Monday, a CA spokesperson said, “Cameron is currently rebuilding his bowling loads in India with a view to return in around 10-12 days’ time. KKR has been communicated with and is fully aware of this information.”
Green also hasn’t been able to perform with the bat, and on Thursday against Sunrisers Hyderabad, an unlucky mix-up with Angkrish Raghuvanshi saw him depart for two off two balls.
‘Cam Green not bowling is unfair’: Wasim Jaffer
Taking to X, Jaffer wrote, “Cam Green not bowling is unfair for KKR. Once you’re playing in a private league, it shouldn’t be your country who decides what you can and cannot do during that league. If that’s the case you might as well not play.”
“Teams pay huge amounts to acquire players with certain skill sets and not using one of the skill sets not because of injury but because of workload management is unfair on the franchise”, he added.
Green didn’t bowl competitively for 12 months between September 2024 and October 2025 after surgery for a stress fracture in his back. In his last eight competitive matches, he has bowled only 7.1 overs and didn’t bowl for Western Australia in his most recent Sheffield Shield game before IPL 2026.
This season, he has only managed 20 runs in two games at an average of 10.00 and a 166.66 strike rate. Considering KKR’s disastrous start, time is running out for Green, and they next host Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens on April 6.
Meanwhile, KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar has clarifide on Green’s role for this season. On Wednesday, he said, “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 the tournament happens, it’s not immediate. So whatever decision you make, you don’t know what the future lies and what the future holds.”
