Kolkata: Tim Southee has indicated that Cameron Green is unlikely to bowl in Kolkata Knight Riders’ upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 clash against Punjab Kings, despite making steady progress in his recovery.
The Australian all-rounder, who was signed for a massive Rs 25.20 crore, has resumed bowling in the nets but is still being carefully managed following back surgery.
Green nearing full return but caution remains
According to Southee, Green has been “bowling well” in training and is steadily progressing through his rehabilitation programme. However, the franchise is unwilling to rush him back into full match duties, especially as he continues to build bowling workload under the supervision of Cricket Australia.
While he bowled at full intensity during a recent practice session, sources within the team suggest he is still “not far away” but may not feature as a bowling option in the immediate game against PBKS.
KKR bowling unit under pressure
KKR’s bowling concerns have been evident early in IPL 2026, with injuries and unavailability affecting key players. The absence of experienced names such as Mustafizur Rahman, Harshit Rana, Akash Deep and Matheesha Pathirana has left the attack relatively inexperienced.
This lack of depth was exposed in their opening loss to Mumbai Indians, where KKR failed to defend a total of 220 at the Wankhede Stadium.
Mixed performances from available bowlers
There have been some positives, however. Blessing Muzarabani impressed with figures of 4/41, while Vaibhav Arora and Kartik Tyagi have chipped in with important breakthroughs.
The experienced spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy are yet to hit top form, adding to the team’s struggles in controlling opposition batters.
Southee stressed that consistency and early wickets, particularly during the powerplay, will be key to improving results.
Team selection and combination challenges
KKR’s preparations have also been disrupted by weather, with a training session at Eden Gardens washed out. Several senior players skipped outdoor practice, while domestic players trained indoors.
Questions have also been raised about team combinations, with players like Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra and Rovman Powell yet to feature this season. However, Southee defended the selections, stating that finding the right balance in a squad full of talent is always a challenge.
Communication with Cricket Australia ongoing
Earlier, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane had humorously remarked “Ask Cricket Australia” when questioned about Green’s absence as a bowler.
Southee clarified that the franchise is in regular communication with Cricket Australia and fully aligned with the player’s recovery timeline, ensuring no unnecessary risks are taken.
Conclusion
While Cameron Green’s return as a full-fledged all-rounder appears imminent, KKR are likely to exercise caution and avoid rushing him back into bowling duties against Punjab Kings.
As the IPL 2026 season progresses, his availability with the ball could significantly strengthen KKR’s balance. Until then, the team will rely on its existing bowling resources to find consistency and secure its first win of the campaign.