Flat IPL launch for Australia's $4 million Knight Rider

Cameron Green's eagerly-awaited debut as the IPL's most expensive overseas recruit ever has fallen flat with his Kolkata Knight Riders captain evidently frustrated the Australian allrounder wasn't able to bowl a single ball in their defeat to Mumbai Indians..   Asked after Sunday's six-wicket defeat why $4.17 million signing Green didn't bowl while the rest of the attack were getting smashed all over the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane just smiled and said pointedly:. "A question you need to ask Cricket Australia..."..

It's inevitably led to speculation in India that Green, whose promising start with the bat was ended when he holed out for 18 off 10 balls, is under some form of workload restriction by Cricket Australia to protect his fitness.. Earlier this month, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin suggested Green should have his pay cheque slashed if he didn't bowl his allotted overs in the IPL.. Green, who's been carefully managed since he underwent back surgery in late 2024, had looked sprightly enough in the field and did whack a huge six and a four in a promising knock at No.3 until he got caught trying too hard to muscle a short one over deep-point off Shardal Thakur..

But KKR didn't need much help from Green with the bat anyway as, having been put in, opener Rahane himself, with 67 off 40 balls, Kiwi Finn Allen, who launched the innings with 37 off 17, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, with a 29-ball 51, all helped power them to 4-220.. It meant Mumbai had to pull off the biggest-ever IPL chase at the Wankhede, and as Ryan Rickelton (81 off 43, with eight sixes) and Rohit Sharma (78 off 38) pulverised their helpless attack in a staggering 148-run opening partnership, the questions only increased as to why Green was not being called on.. "If he's not injured, why is he not bowling?" former England captain Kevin Pietersen kept asking from the commentary box with increasing bewilderment as Sharma sped to 50 off 23 balls and Rickelton reached the landmark in 24..

Asked about the impotence of his attack afterwards, Rahane said:. "When, hopefully, Green starts to bowl soon in the competition, it will be slightly different.  "Finding that balance with the ball is really important, so hopefully Green starts to bowl soon, so we can find the combinations that will be okay." Eventually, Mumbai did stutter slightly as they approached the winning line, but captain Hardik Pandya (18no off 11) eased them across on 4-224 with five balls to spare.. Australian Associated Press.