Cameron Green made 18 runs in 10 balls for KKR in their defeat to MI in IPL 2026.
Thanks to half-centuries by skipper Ajinkya Rahane (67) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51), KKR posted a good total on the board. In response, MI openers Rohit Sharma (78) and Ryan Rickelton (81) set the tone for the chase with a 148-run partnership inside 12 overs.
After that, it was easy going for MI, as they romped home in the last over and won the game comfortably.
One of the glaring reasons why KKR probably lost the game was that their all-rounder, Cameron Green, didn’t bowl a single over and only played as a pure batter. He scored 18 runs in 10 balls, but when skipper Ajinkya Rahane was asked about Green not bowling, he shifted the blame onto Cricket Australia, saying one should check with them rather than the franchise.
Cricket Australia is carefully monitoring the workloads of its centrally contracted players ahead of the approaching demanding Test season. This is the main reason Green hasn't been cleared to bowl right now.
However, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu wasn't happy with this development, claiming that international boards cannot dictate to franchises once players have been selected in the auction.
“Can he play a cover drive or not? Maybe he might injure his elbow. Maybe he should just flick the ball. It is absolutely absurd. When somebody is coming to compete in a tournament, and you tell him, ‘you can do this, and you can’t do that’, it's absolute nonsense. It can’t happen in a professional setting.
I think it should be up to the player. If he is competing as a professional, he should be able to do whatever he is capable of doing. The player is the best judge," Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo ‘TimeOut’.
Rayudu then used an analogy to emphasize his point: just because his mother does not approve of something does not mean she can sign the contract on his behalf.
“My mom always wanted me to wear a helmet, but I never liked it. Does not mean that my mom signs a contract and sends me out saying that, ‘he can’t play, my son might get injured’," said Rayudu.
Cameron Green has been cautious with his bowling after undergoing lower back surgery. He bowled just 62 overs in the Ashes 2025-26 series as well.
Cricket Australia stated on Monday, stating that KKR had been notified of Green's restrictions well in advance and that he would begin bowling within the next 10-12 days.