The uncertainty around Cameron Green\u2019s role is still hanging over Kolkata Knight Riders as they prepare to face Lucknow Super Giants in their next IPL 2026 encounter at Eden Gardens on Thursday. The Australian all-rounder arrived with a hefty price tag of \u20b925.20 crore at the auction, yet he has not delivered a single ball in the ongoing season, turning what was meant to be a multi-skill investment into a lingering selection puzzle for KKR.<\/p>\n
Green is currently sidelined from bowling while recovering from a lower-back injury. Cricket Australia\u2019s guidance has been central to KKR\u2019s approach, with the team keeping him away from his bowling duties during this phase. In a statement, Cricket Australia said, \u201cCameron has a lower-back injury, which is being managed, but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period.\u201d KKR now hope to see him return as his workload is built up again, with Green reportedly aiming to resume bowling in roughly 10-12 days while he gradually gets his overs back under control in India.<\/p>\n
Even with his expected return in the season coming into view, the bigger debate has shifted to his batting spot. Green has been used in the top order for KKR, but his performances have not matched the expectations that came with his auction value. In the washed-out match against Punjab Kings, Green was promoted to No. 3 and made just four runs off two balls before getting out, offering little indication that he was ready to consistently anchor that position.<\/p>\n
The decision to place Green at No. 3 has drawn sharp criticism, most notably from former England batter Kevin Pietersen. Speaking on JioHotstar, Pietersen argued that KKR\u2019s problem is specifically Green\u2019s role in that middle-order slot. \u201cI think the real problem for KKR is Cameron Green at number three. I don\u2019t think he has got it in him. He has not done enough in world cricket to be a number three,\u201d he said. Pietersen added that in the current tournament landscape, other teams\u2019 No. 3 batters are typically established top-order or middle-order players, and that Green\u2019s inability to bowl is also weighing on the team\u2019s balance. \u201cAlong with that, the burden of not bowling is hampering the team,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
On the numbers, Green has managed only 24 runs across three matches, with scores of 18, 2 and 4, at an average of eight. With returns not arriving and his bowling still on hold, pressure has mounted on KKR\u2019s management to decide whether to persist with the same batting structure or adjust his position as they juggle their match plans.<\/p>\n
With the next game against LSG approaching, Green\u2019s bowling availability is expected to become clearer. Green is reportedly set to start bowling against Lucknow Super Giants in the upcoming fixture, as per ESPNcricinfo. Until then, his absence from bowling continues to influence KKR\u2019s tactics, particularly as their bowling resources have taken hits from injuries and selection changes. Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the squad on the instructions of the BCCI. In addition, Harshit Rana and Akash Deep have been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury concerns.<\/p>\n
KKR\u2019s bowling depth has also been affected in other ways during the current stretch. Sunil Narine missed the match versus Punjab Kings due to illness, while Varun Chakaravarthy was left out of the playing XI with a hand injury. In a season where roles have been repeatedly altered, Green\u2019s non-bowling status has forced KKR to rethink how they distribute responsibilities across batting and bowling phases.<\/p>\n
After Green\u2019s dismissal in the match against SRH, former player Aaron Finch stepped in to offer support and clarification. Finch, speaking on ESPNcricinfo, pointed out that not every dismissal should be read as a technical failure. \u201cOne of those dismissals has been a run out [against SRH], not a part of his fault. Still, he\u2019s missed out twice. There\u2019s a bit of panic, he\u2019s not looking the same as the past,\u201d Finch said. He also highlighted how Green\u2019s mindset appeared to have shifted compared to when he played at the top of the order for MI. \u201cRemember when he was at the top of the order for MI – how he had a totally different intent. He was imposing at the crease. Now he looks tentative. Don\u2019t push him down. Push him either up the order, or give him a rest,\u201d Finch added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The uncertainty around Cameron Green\u2019s role is still hanging over Kolkata Knight Riders as they prepare to face Lucknow Super Giants in their next IPL…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1291,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Pietersen Criticises KKR\u2019s Green Pick vs LSG","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Pietersen questions KKR\u2019s Cameron Green pick ahead of their Eden Gardens clash with LSG, after the star\u2019s IPL 2026 debut delay and role uncertainty.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n