Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is expected to return to bowling duties for Kolkata Knight Riders in their next IPL 2026 outing against Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens on Thursday, according to a report. Green was snapped up by KKR for Rs 25.20 crore in the IPL Auction, a fee that made him the most expensive overseas player in the league’s history. However, his early appearances for the franchise have come strictly in a batting role, with his bowling workload having been managed due to a lower-back issue.
Why Green has been kept out of the attack
KKR were initially told that Green would begin the IPL season as a specialist batter because of a lower-back injury being carefully managed. The guidance was that he needed to avoid bowling for a short period, while his workload was rebuilt gradually while he was in India.
- Green’s lower-back injury has been under management, with a temporary restriction on bowling.
- KKR was informed that he would resume bowling once his bowling loads were rebuilt.
- He was described as working toward a return window of roughly 10 to 12 days after KKR’s opening fixture.
- The statement linked to the update was released after KKR’s first match against Mumbai Indians on March 30.
Readiness for bowling and what has changed
With KKR now set to play their 15th match of the campaign against LSG, and more than ten days passing since the earlier injury-management update, ESPNcricinfo has reported that Green is prepared to bowl in a match situation.
Green’s IPL batting start and KKR’s strain
Despite being available as a batter, Green has struggled in the opening phase of the tournament. In his first three matches, he has contributed only 24 runs across three innings. In the tournament opener against Mumbai Indians, he made 18, but he then failed to reach double figures in each of the next two games against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings, scoring 2 and 4 respectively.
- Green has scored 24 runs in three innings in his first three IPL 2026 matches.
- He made 18 in KKR’s opening match versus Mumbai Indians.
- He scored 2 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- He scored 4 against Punjab Kings.
Bowling department under pressure
KKR’s bowling has been impacted by multiple absences and form concerns. The squad has already been without Matheesha Pathirana, Harshit Rana, and Akash Deep, all of whom have been sidelined with injuries. In addition, Mustafizur Rahman has been taken out of the squad on instructions from the BCCI well before the tournament began. On top of that, Varun Chakravarthy’s poor form has added to the team’s difficulties.
- Matheesha Pathirana, Harshit Rana and Akash Deep are unavailable due to injury recovery.
- Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the squad following BCCI instructions well ahead of the tournament.
- Varun Chakravarthy’s form has also been a concern for KKR.
KKR’s campaign so far
With these challenges mounting, KKR have lost both of their opening matches and are currently sitting with just one point. Their third match against Punjab Kings did not reach a result because it was abandoned due to rain.
- KKR have suffered defeats in both opening matches.
- Their points tally stands at one point after the first three games.
- The third match against Punjab Kings was abandoned due to rain.
