Why Green didn't bowl in Knight Riders debut

Cameron Green's absence from the bowling crease in Kolkata Knight Riders' loss to Mumbai Indians was due to a "lower back injury", Cricket Australia have confirmed.

Eyebrows were raised when Green, purchased for more than four million Australian dollars by KKR at the most recent IPL auction, didn't bowl an over despite MI's batters chasing down a record total at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.  

When questioned on the allrounder's conspicuous non-contribution post match, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane responded flatly: "Ask Cricket Australia". 

CA confirmed on Monday that Green, who had a significant operation on his back in late 2024, is currently dealing with a minor back complaint and his IPL franchise was well briefed on the details. 

"Cameron has a lower back injury which is being managed but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period," 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."

After returning from the T20 World Cup in February, the 26-year-old featured in the Sheffield Shield's ninth round but played as a batter only in that match too. 

Green's eagerly-awaited debut as the IPL's most expensive overseas recruit ever ultimately ended in a loss with KKR going down to MI by six wickets.

Batting at No.3, Green, who will receive about A$3.5m of the A$4.3m fee KKR paid for him under new rules introduced to the IPL this season which cap the amount overseas players can earn, hit a four and a huge six before he got caught trying too hard to muscle a short one over deep-point off player-of-the-match Shardul Thakur.

But KKR didn't need much help from Green with the bat anyway as, having been put in, Rahane's 67 off 40 balls, a blistering 37 off 17 to launch the innings from Kiwi Finn Allen, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi's 29-ball 51 all helped power them to 4-220.

It meant Mumbai had to pull off a record-breaking chase at the Wankhede and, as Ryan Rickelton (81 off 43, with eight sixes) and Rohit Sharma (78 off 38) pulverised their helpless attack in a staggering 148-run opening partnership, questions were asked as to why Green was not being thrown the ball.

"Unfortunately, Cameron Green cannot bowl at this moment," skipper Rahane said after the match.

"When he starts bowling, the combination will be slightly different. Finding that balance with the ball is really important, so hopefully Green starts to bowl soon, so we can find the combinations that will be okay."

Although both openers were dismissed before the centuries, Mumbai had enough experience to get them over the line. Suryakumar Yadav (16 off eight) and Tilak Varma (20 off 14) kept the required rate in check before captain Hardik Pandya (18no off 11) eased them across on 4-224 with five balls to spare.

Making his debut for his seventh IPL franchise, Thakur's 3-39 were the best figures in the match and in a batter-dominated match, he was deemed the best player. 

Australians in IPL 2026

Chennai Super Kings: Matt Short ($255k), Spencer Johnson ($255k, replaces Nathan Ellis ($340k))

Delhi Capitals: Mitchell Starc ($2m)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Josh Hazlewood ($2.13m), Tim David ($510k)

Punjab Kings: Marcus Stoinis ($1.9m), Ben Dwarshuis ($745k), Mitchell Owen ($510k), Cooper Connolly ($510k), Xavier Bartlett ($136k)

Kolkata Knight Riders: Cameron Green ($3.5m)

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins ($3.5m), Travis Head ($2.38m), Jack Edwards ($510k, withdrawn)

Lucknow Super Giants: Josh Inglis ($1.49m), Mitchell Marsh ($578k)