Cameron Green has batted three times for Kolkata Knight Riders this season and, to be blunt, it has not looked smooth. The Australian all-rounder, bought for a hefty INR 25.20 crore at last December’s auction, owns scores of 18, 2 and 0. That last dismissal – feathering a catch behind off Xavier Bartlett on Monday night – arrived after just two balls, and the match itself was then washed away after 3.4 overs.
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, thinks the worries around Green are understandable yet fixable.
“There’s a bit of panic, he’s not looking the same as the past,” Finch said. “Remember when he was at the top of the order for MI – how he had totally different intent… He was imposing at the crease. Now he looks tentative. Don’t push him down. Push him either up the order, or give him a rest.”
Finch’s point about intent harks back to 2023, when Mumbai Indians stationed Green at No. 3 and he responded with 452 runs at a strike-rate of 160 and an average north of 50. Knight Riders have used him in the powerplay as well, but the entry points have varied: second over (No. 3), fifth over (No. 4) and sixth over (No. 3). The chopping and changing may not be helping.
“One of those dismissals has been a run-out, not a part of his fault,” Finch added, offering some sympathy. “Still, he’s missed out twice.”
Conditions have made life awkward too. Eden Gardens had sweated under covers for hours before Monday’s fixture. With moisture trapped in the pitch and heavy air all round, Bartlett and the other Punjab Kings seamers found a bit of nip. Finch could not understand why KKR chose to bat.
“Winning the toss and electing to bat after the wicket’s been under the covers for a day – you know there’s been rain in the air – it makes absolutely no sense,” he said. “That’s an alarm bell for me… You’re making the wrong decision even when you’ve got all the information.”
Finch went on: “There’s cloud cover around. You’re expecting rain. They had three hours of rain… DLS works better for the team batting second a little better. You’ve got all that information, so I don’t understand how you get to the decision you’ll bat first.”
From KKR’s point of view, the temptation now could be to slide Green down the order or even rest him. The counter-argument – raised by Finch and echoed quietly inside the dressing-room – is that Green’s ceiling is too high to hide. A tall all-rounder who can clear the ropes and bowl brisk seam remains a valuable commodity, even if the early returns are lean.
Historically, high-profile overseas recruits have needed a fortnight to settle: new team, different captain, unfamiliar role. Green has played just 30 legal deliveries this season; that’s barely two decent nets. A measured response, rather than a reactive one, might serve Knight Riders better.
The franchise stays in rain-hit Kolkata for their next game against Lucknow Super Giants on 9 April. The forecast again hints at showers, and the pitch is unlikely to dry fully. If Green does play – and at this stage there is no suggestion he won’t – the management’s bigger call may be where he bats. Powerplay? No. 3? or a floating brief depending on match situation?
Whatever they decide, the player himself seems outwardly calm. Those close to the camp say he is hitting well in practice and has not dwelt on the price tag. KKR, second on the table despite Monday’s no-result, can afford a little patience.
Finch’s closing remark still feels the most relevant: “Don’t push him down.” Let the player breathe, give him another good look at the new ball, and the rhythm might return sooner than later.
