Abhishek Nayar on Cameron Green: KKR Hopes He Fills Russell’s All-Round Shoes

Abhishek Nayar, owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, calmed captain Ajinkya Rahane's concerns regarding the loss to Mumbai Indians on March 29, when he was upset that Cameron Green did not bowl. KKR has spent ₹25.20 crore on Green as a full-bowling all-rounder; however, as of IPL 2026, he has only performed as an actual batting player. Rahane did not realise that Cricket Australia had not permitted Green to bowl due to a back injury he is recovering from.

“Ask Cricket Australia”, Ajinkya Rahane spoke out about the issue, but Cricket Australia quickly responded, saying Kolkata Knight Riders already knew that Cameron Green wasn’t fit to bowl and would need about two more weeks to recover. As expected, Abhishek Nayar was asked about Green, Rahane, and CA during the press conference in Kolkata before the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Cricket Australia clarified over Green’s bowling 

 

According to Ajinkya Rahane, the loss of Cameron Green due to injury was detrimental to the balance of KKR and he was supported by teammate and Coach, Abhishek Nayar. Nayar advised that Cameron was brought to KKR as an all-rounder and although players can and do get hurt and teams need to have back ups in place, the availability of high quality all-rounders is limited, both in India and abroad.

“Picking a player in an auction is not always very short-sighted. There is always a horizon. You look at what a player has done over a number of years and the skill set he possesses. This sport is interesting in that way that a lot of times you pick a player with certain prowess, and sometimes they may even do the skill you are talking about and not perform. But for us, Cameron Green, the cricketer and the all-rounder, was really important.

You take a lot of things into consideration at times, whether there is an injury or fitness issues. But eventually, I think, when the auction happens and the tournament happens, it is not imagined. So whatever decision you make, you don’t know where the future lies and what the future may hold.

In that aspect, we as a franchise always invest in the player and what the player at his best can bring to our table, and we know what Cameron can do. There are things that sometimes are very unfortunate. It’s not in your control. But that’s the sport, and that’s the beauty of the sport,” Nayar told reporters in Kolkata.

Cameron Green eyed for Andre Russell role, says Abhishek Nayar

Abhishek Nayar further said that Cameron Green was brought in as a replacement for Andre Russell. However, he clarified that Russell had a different role, a finisher who could bowl in all phases. Kolkata Knight Riders understands that Green is not that kind of player.

But Nayar’s point was that Russell was irreplaceable, and he provided the team with balance. He was someone who was the centre, and the whole team revolved around him. That’s exactly what KKR expects from Green. Now, he may not perform as expected. But that’s entirely a different thing. They just want to be an all-rounder first. Due to injury, he can’t do that for them. They just hope that happens soon, because KKR has already lost a few players to injuries.

“We always consider best-case scenarios. Yes, you want backups; you pick players who do certain things. But when we went into the auction, it was very simple. If Russ wasn’t there, who is the next best all-rounder that we felt in the world and could add a lot of value and could take that Russell legacy forward in a different role? We felt Cameron could do that for us. It’s just unfortunate that he has not been able to do it so far,” Nayar added.