It was the sight Kolkata Knight Riders have been waiting for since the season began. Cameron Green, IPL 2026’s biggest buy, rolling his arm over at the Eden Gardens nets on Saturday, three overs at full run-up, support staff watching closely.
Green has been with KKR but barred from bowling by Cricket Australia as he continues to manage a back injury. His unavailability with the ball has forced the team into difficult conversations about their combination. Captain Ajinkya Rahane did not hide the problem after their defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. “We have to look at the combination bowling-wise. As our bowlers are very inexperienced, we need that extra bowler to cushion the team,” he said.
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Saturday’s session at the nets was the first time Green bowled since joining the franchise. The fact that he went through three full overs without any visible setback will be an enormous relief to the management. KKR paid a premium for an all-rounder. Right now, they are getting only half of what they bought.
However, nobody at the KKR camp is rushing things. Green is unlikely to bowl against Punjab Kings on Monday. The back requires careful management, and the last thing the franchise needs is a setback that rules him out for longer.
There was more positive news from the physio room. Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who picked up a calf injury during the T20 World Cup, posted “almost there” on social media, raising hopes of him joining the KKR squad in the coming days. Pathirana’s pace and his distinctive slingy action would add a very different dimension to KKR’s attack, which has looked thin without its bowling all-rounder.
For now, KKR must manage with what they have against Punjab on Monday. But Green bowling in the nets, even at this early stage, is the most encouraging thing to come out of their camp all week.
