Kolkata Knight Riders debutant Cameron Green didn’t bowl in the IPL 2026 match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday because of a “lower back injury”.

KKR lost its season opener as MI chased down the 221-run target with five balls to spare to open its account in the IPL points table. Green managed 18 off 10 balls with a six and a four batting at number three.

Knight Riders, already marred with injuries to its frontline fast bowlers, was not able to fully use Green’s abilities—Australia’s high-profile all-rounder. When quizzed about the same post game, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane replied bluntly: “The question you need to ask Cricket Australia.”

On Monday, CA stated that Green, picked in the IPL auction for a record-breaking Rs. 25.20 crore, is nursing a lower back injury and the same has been already communicated to the Kolkata-based franchise.

“Cameron has a lower back injury which is being managed but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period,” a CA spokesperson said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.

“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.”

Green suffered stress fracture in the back in 2024 and underwent a surgery for the same. He didn’t bowl in the competitive cricket for over 12 months till 2025.

He bowled just seven balls at the T20 World Cup 2026 in February and featured in the Sheffield Shield’s ninth round only as a batter.

“Unfortunately, Cameron Green cannot bowl at this moment,” Rahane said after the match.

“When he starts bowling, the combination 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.”

Published on Mar 30, 2026