Cameron Green’s No-Show with the Ball Leaves KKR Asking Hard Questions
In the first two days of the IPL, 200-plus totals have been chased down with ease. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) chased 202 in less than 16 overs, Mumbai Indians (MI) hunted down 220 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in 19.1 overs. The truth is, no total is safe this IPL on good batting decks with smaller boundaries. In Bengaluru and Mumbai, the boundaries are no more than 60 metres, and even mishits go for six.
It is no surprise, then, that bowlers have won Player of the Match awards in the first two games, despite 200-plus totals being breached with ease. A good bowling effort in favourable batting conditions is worth its weight in gold, and that’s what brings me to Cameron Green. Ajinkya Rahane is on record as saying one needs to ask Cricket Australia (CA) why Green did not bowl. That’s where KKR are bound to feel let down.
KKR bought Green for a staggering price of ₹25.2 crore. First, they overpaid. Second, if there is any justification for this price, it is because Green is an all-round option. He can win a game with the bat and also contribute four overs with the ball. Much like Shardul Thakur, who starred for MI with three wickets, Green bowls at a similar pace and, in addition, can hit the deck using his height.
With MI going hard in the powerplay, KKR needed Green to step up with the ball. Clearly, that option wasn’t available to them, and that’s where questions need to be asked. Was KKR informed that Green might not bowl in all games? Was there transparency from the start? Would KKR have paid ₹25 crore had they known Green wouldn’t bowl in key matches?
This is where players and boards need to come clean. Much like Ben Duckett, who withdrew at the last minute, leaving Delhi Capitals in the lurch, Green not bowling is a travesty. He is letting his franchise down, and there should have been clear communication on the matter. From Rahane’s statement, it was clear that it was not a KKR call and that Green had been mandated by CA not to bowl.
A CA statement after the game said as much. “Cameron has a lower back injury which is being managed but requires him to abstain from bowling for a short period,” it said. “He 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.”
In such a scenario, there should be a provision for KKR to appeal to the BCCI and reduce Green’s salary proportionately. He can’t take the franchise for a ride, and this is not easy money. He was picked for a reason. Now, for whatever reason, he can’t do the job. Given that he can only do half of what is expected of him, he should be paid half the money. Anyone who does this should be penalised, for franchises cannot be made to suffer when players and boards refuse to come clean.
The IPL is no free money. It is a ruthlessly competitive cricket tournament where money needs to be earned. Green was paid for his qualities as an all-rounder. Now that he hasn’t bowled, his pay should be deducted pro rata.
KKR and Rahane have every reason to feel let down. This wasn’t part of the bargain, and in the absence of Harshit Rana and Akash Deep, Green not bowling could hurt KKR badly.
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