On Monday, CA confirmed that Green, who has not bowled since the T20 World Cup, is recovering from a minor decrease-again downside, with his timeline to return with the ball clearly outlined to KKR forward of the IPL.
“Cameron has a lower-back injury, which is being managed, but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period,” a CA spokesperson stated. “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 did not bowl competitively for 12 months from September 2024 to October 2025, having undergone surgical procedure on a stress fracture in his again.
Addressing considerations about the lack of a settled bowling mixture, Rahane stated that the facet was nonetheless trying to find the right combination. “I think when hopefully Green starts to bowl soon, the combination will be slightly different,” he stated at the presentation. “At the moment, we have to see the balance and who can bowl well for us. Batting-wise, as I said, we batted really well, but finding that balance with the ball is really important. So, hopefully, Green starts to bowl soon, [and] then we can find out whether the combination will be okay.”
KKR’s points have been compounded by the absence of a number of frontline quick bowlers, leaving the staff to depend on much less-skilled choices. Rahane stated it’s a difficult section however framed it as a possibility for others in the squad to step up. In the six-wicket loss to MI, they performed quick bowlers Blessing Muzarabani, Kartik Tyagi and Vaibhav Arora, whereas Varun Chakravarthy shared spin duties alongside allrounders Sunil Narine and Anukul Roy.
Rahane emphasised the significance of easing the burden on the spin unit by having the additional quick bowler, including {that a} extra balanced assault will solely fall into place as soon as Green can contribute totally.
“Unfortunately, Cameron Green cannot bowl at this moment. When he starts bowling, the combination will be slightly different. At the moment, for us having that sixth option as a bowler is really important because we don’t want to put too much pressure on our spinners as well”
Ajinkya Rahane
“I think always the first couple of games you don’t get your right combination,” Rahane stated at the put up-match press convention. “It is challenging because our bowlers are injured, but I think there is an opportunity for other players to show up and do really well and make a name for themselves. As I said, [there’s] Kartik, Vaibhav, Muzarabani, Saurabh [Dubey]; you’ve got Umran [Malik] as well, [and] Navdeep Saini, who has been really impressive during practice sessions and practice matches. So it is an opportunity for everyone.”
Green’s restricted bowling workload in current outings has been notable. Despite being seen bowling at full tilt in coaching two days earlier than the match, and once more on the follow pitch earlier than the sport (though he did not mark his run-up), Green did not function with the ball. Across his final eight aggressive appearances, he has bowled solely 7.1 overs, together with none in his most up-to-date Sheffield Shield sport for Western Australia earlier than departing for the IPL.
“Unfortunately, Cameron Green cannot bowl at this moment,” Rahane stated. “When he starts bowling, the combination will be slightly different. At the moment for us having that sixth option as a bowler is really important because we don’t want to put too much pressure on our spinners as well, because as I said, Sunil and Varun have experience.
“Vaibhav simply began to do very well final yr. He had an excellent season for us, however we do not wish to put an excessive amount of strain [on him]. Batting-wise, we are going to take that duty to attain runs, however the bowlers will take a while, and I’m positive they are going to be okay, they are going to be tremendous.”
Sruthi Ravindranath is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
