Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has praised Cameron Green’s turnaround during the 2026 Indian Premier League, saying the all-rounder’s improved performances have helped him rebuild confidence after a major back operation in 2024.
Key takeaways
- Green was bought by his franchise for ₹25.2 crore (USD 2.8m) and initially faced heavy criticism after a quiet start with both bat and ball.
- In the second half of the league phase, he delivered a strong two-way impact, finishing with 322 runs at a 32.20 average and a 145.70 strike rate.
- Across 14 matches, Green also took 7 wickets while keeping an economy rate of 10.64.
- Despite Green’s recovery, the Kolkata Knight Riders campaign ended without a playoff spot, with the side losing by 40 runs to Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens on Sunday night.
- McDonald expects Green to head to Pakistan for a three-match ODI series beginning May 30 and has raised questions about the difficulty of excelling across all three formats.
- Ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa and Zimbabwe, McDonald says the key decision is Green’s role and batting position.
Green’s IPL recovery and KKR’s late exit
McDonald said he was satisfied with how Green’s IPL season unfolded, particularly after the early phase brought scrutiny. The 26-year-old had not bowled in the opening games, and that omission drew criticism from Kolkata Knight Riders’ team management as well as supporters. He also struggled with the bat during those matches, failing to make the kind of impression KKR would have wanted.
However, the momentum shifted in the second half of the league stage. Green began contributing in every sense of the word, adding value with both innings and overs. His overall tally read 322 runs, struck at 145.70 and supported by a batting average of 32.20. With the ball, he finished with 7 wickets in 14 appearances, maintaining an economy rate of 10.64.
Still, KKR were unable to secure a playoff place. By the time their season regained traction, the required position had slipped too far beyond reach. On Sunday night at Eden Gardens, the campaign ended on a disappointing note as KKR were routed by Delhi Capitals by 40 runs.
Post-surgery confidence and the workload debate
McDonald, who views Green as an important piece for Australia across formats, pointed to the role of recovery in the improvement. He believes the all-rounder is getting his rhythm back after undergoing major back surgery in 2024.
“This IPL, the skills are coming back, the white-ball skills in particular off the back of the surgery he’s had,” McDonald said. He also referenced his own playing background, having represented Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru).
Green is now set to travel to Pakistan for a three-ODI series that starts on May 30. While McDonald acknowledged the expectations placed on him, he also suggested they can sometimes become unrealistic, especially when consistency is demanded across every format.
“I’d ask the question: How many have been good at going across all three formats? Currently, it’s incredibly difficult. So are we asking too much of certain players?” McDonald added.
Where Green fits for the World Cup
McDonald further discussed how Australia plans to use Green, with the next major target being the 50-over World Cup in South Africa and Zimbabwe. He said the coaching staff needs more clarity around Green’s placement and responsibilities before deciding his best role.
“It’s really where we position him and what role we want him to play, because I think he’s got the ability to really play high up the order and low,” McDonald explained. He also highlighted Green’s finishing potential, citing his power during the Top End series last year against South Africa, when Green demonstrated he could close out the innings effectively in the absence of Glenn Maxwell.
McDonald said these discussions will continue as part of Australia’s planning process toward the 2027 World Cup, with experimentation treated carefully and flexibility maintained rather than forced. “We keep these things open – experiment is not the right word – but we’ll look at different ways to play in the journey to the 2027 World Cup and where he fits exactly in that,” he concluded.
