Why did Cameron Green not bowl in KKR vs MI match? Reasons Explained

Cricket Australia (CA) have confirmed that all-rounder Cameron Green is currently nursing a lower back injury, which prevented him from bowling for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, March 29.

KKR secured the services of Green at the mini auction for a jaw-dropping INR 25.20 crore with an eye on replacing Andre Russell as their premier overseas all-rounder. The 26-year-old scored 18 off 10 balls as the three-time champions posted 220 on the board in the first innings. 

With MI chasing a record total at the Wankhede Stadium, KKR opted against using the services of Green with the ball. However, when asked about why he wasn’t handed the ball, Rahane said to ask Cricket Australia why that was the case. 

CA, in response, stated that their star all-rounder should be fit to bowl in the next couple of weeks, whilst making it absolutely clear that KKR were well aware of his injury situation before the start of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).

“Cameron has a lower back injury, which is being managed but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period. Cameron is currently rebuilding his bowling loads in India with a view to return in around 10-12 days’ time. KKR has been communicated with and is fully aware of this information,” a CA spokesperson said.

This is Green’s third season in the IPL, having previously represented MI in 2023 and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2024. The seam-bowling all-rounder has previously bowled in the tournament, taking 16 wickets in his IPL career. This includes taking 10 wickets for RCB at an economy rate of 8.61.

KKR, meanwhile, suffered an opening game defeat at the hands of MI, with the hosts chasing down 220 with five balls to spare. The five-time champions were set up brilliantly by their openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, who forged a 148-run stand off just 11.5 overs.