IPL 2026: KKR Captain Rahane Defers On Green's Bowling To Cricket Australia, Fans Express Outrage

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Ajinkya Rahane gave a straightforward answer on all-rounder Cameron Green's bowling status after the six-wicket defeat in their opening IPL 2026 clash against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, March 29.

The KKR franchise bought Green for a staggering 25.2 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in December last year, making him the most expensive overseas player and the third overall after Rishabh Pant (INR 27 crore by Lucknow Super Giants) and Shreyas Iyer (INR 26.75 crore by Punjab Kings) in the history of the Indian Premier League.

The Australian all-rounder made his KKR debut in their opening match against MI, scoring 18 off 10 balls, including a six and a four, at a strike rate of 180. However, Cameron Green didn't bowl throughout the innings, leaving KKR to rely solely on other bowlers as they struggled to contain the Mumbai Indians' batting lineup.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Shardul Thakur's delight as MI seal record chase vs KKR

Rahane Points Fingers at CA Over Green's Bowling

Cameron Green's unavailability for bowling throughout the second innings apparently left KKR's bowling attack stretched as the Mumbai Indians completely dominated the chase. Speaking at the post-match presentation after the defeat to the five-time champions, Rahane was asked about Green's bowling role.

Without any hesitation, the KKR skipper pointed fingers at Cricket Australia for the all-rounder's bowling status.

“I believe this is the question you should ask Cricket Australia.” Rahane said.

Ravi Shastri: "Why doesn't Cameron green bowl?"Ajinkya Rahane replied, "I believe this is the question you should ask Cricket Australia." twitter/vxJWJIU2Tx

- Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) March 29, 2026

Cameron Green has limited his bowling since returning from a serious back injury and has often been used by Australia across all formats, preventing him from taking on a full bowling workload in the IPL.

In the Ashes 2025-26, wherein Australia successfully defended the urn, the 26-year-old bowled only 61.5 overs across nine innings, meaning he bowled just around 6.5 overs per innings, indicating a reduced workload. In the T20 World Cup 2026, Green bowled only 3.1 overs in five matches.

Fans Question Cricket Australia's Interference in IPL

Kolkata Knight Riders Ajinkya Rahane's blunt statement left the fans questioning Cricket Australia's role in restricting Cameron Green's bowling duties in the IPL. Despite splurging INR 25.2 crore on the acquisition of the Australian all-rounder, fans were left frustrated that Green didn't bowl even a single over in KKR's opening match.

Taking to their X handles (formerly Twitter), fans and cricket enthusiasts slammed Cricket Australia for interfering with the team's decisions of the IPL franchises, questioning the logic of paying top money for players who aren't allowed to bowl, and calling for clearer rules and accountability ahead of future seasons.

Then cameron green should return 50% of his money if you don't have full control over him as player Who is cricket Australia to interfere in franchise cricket? (@screwgauge77) March 29, 2026

If cricket Australia not allowing its players to play according to IPL teams then why is BCCI and teams entertaining them Zero Civic Sense (@IndianDehaat) March 29, 2026

From next auctions just stop investing aggresively on Australian playersThese Australian boards think that players are bought at IPL at high prices only to hear their instructions while playing them deduct half money from AR like Green if CA doesn't allow him to bowl,ffs!! kkr_russell (@kkr_russell) March 29, 2026

25 cr when he ain't even bowling absolutely absurd ♡ (@srhcore) March 29, 2026

No way spent 25cr on Green just for him to bat at no 3 and don't even bowl. He was even bowling in the recent T20 World Cup. Prantik (@Pran__07) March 29, 2026

If green is not allowed to bowl, better play Tim siefert at his place as an opener or at 3. No use of an all rounder playing only as a batter Seedhashot45 (@candidsach__45) March 29, 2026

That's why IPL should become an independent league these cricketing boards keep interfering this way the sport can never grow ‍♂️. Yorker (@YorkerClub) March 29, 2026

Cricket Australia creates lots of tantrums. Priyanshu Sharma (@PriyanshuS80141) March 29, 2026

So in my opinion Australian players should get less pay or and signed agreement of delivery allround performance if they get millions of dollars for playing an IPL season as cricket Australia thinks of their players but what about the franchise who believe a player can bowl and...

- (@Vaibhav574) March 29, 2026

Exactly, CA wants money. Why didn't they inform before IPL Auctions?

- SilenceAtSlip (@silenceatslip) March 29, 2026

It is a strange shift in the power dynamic when an IPL franchise captain defers workload management questions to a national board.

- Aqua Insane (@himanshu__sriv) March 29, 2026

At the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Cameron Green listed himself as a batter rather than an all-rounder, sparking speculations about whether the Australian cricketer is prioritising his batting role over bowling.

Green was not part of the last IPL season as he was ruled out due to a back injury. However, across the 2023 and 2024 seasons for the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, respectively, the Australian all-rounder bowled 73.1 overs, averaging just over 36 overs per season, further highlighting his limited bowling workload in recent years.

It remains to be seen whether Cameron Green will return to bowling as the ongoing IPL season progresses, as the Kolkata Knight Riders are aiming to clinch their fourth triumph.

Also Read: MI vs KKR, IPL 2026: Star Batter Rohit Sharma's Blazing 78-Run Knock Sparks Fan Frenzy

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