KKR Concerned About Cameron Green's Bowling Fitness: 'The Combination Gets Better'

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane kept the cards close to his chest on Cameron Green’s bowling fitness, saying that his introduction in the bowling lineup will only boost the team’s performance.

Green was spotted marking his run‑up and going through bowling drills during the warm‑up ahead of the clash against Lucknow Super Giants. He is yet to bowl this season after undergoing back surgery, but has been ramping up his workload in the nets.

Green’s absence as a bowling option has hurt KKR’s balance, with frontline pacers Mustafizur Rahman (withdrawn) and Harshit Rana and Akash Deep sidelined because of injuries.

Although Green has resumed bowling in practice, Rahane hinted at the toss that he might not yet be ready to bowl in a game.

“When he (Green) is allowed to bowl, we will probably see him, the combination gets better, so Rovman Powell plays, when Cam Green bowls, then we have that extra bowler with us,” Rahane said while speaking at the toss.

Meanwhile, Sunil Narine returned to Kolkata Knight Riders’ playing XI for Thursday’s crucial clash after missing the rain-affected match against Punjab Kings. But his spin partner Varun Chakravarthy remained sidelined, still recovering from a finger injury.

“We wanted to bowl. Just one change, Sunil comes in place of Blessing, Varun is still recovering from his hand injury,” Rahane said.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ priciest overseas signing, Green, bought for Rs 25.2 crore (18, 2, 4), has struggled with the bat and has yet to bowl because of Cricket Australia’s workload management protocols.

While KKR have continued to back him, Rovman Powell was brought in during the washed-out match.

Green last bowled in February, during Australia’s T20 World Cup game against Oman, where he gave away just 11 runs in his two overs. Since then, he has played four matches across tournaments but hasn’t bowled.