KKR sweat over Cameron Green’s bowling fitness as Ajinkya Rahane drops subtle hint at toss vs LSG: ‘When he's allowed…’

Ajinkya Rahane suggested at the toss that Cameron Green may still not be ready to take up bowling duties in a match situation.

Updated on: Apr 9, 2026, 19:31:25 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Ajinkya Rahane hinted that Cameron Green is still awaiting clearance from Cricket Australia to bowl in the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The all-rounder was seen marking his run-up and going through bowling drills during the warm-up ahead of the clash against Lucknow Super Giants. Green has not bowled so far this season after undergoing back surgery and has been slowly increasing his workload in the nets. Green's absence as a bowler has affected KKR's combination, especially with multiple frontline options unavailable - Mustafizur Rahman (withdrawn), Harshit Rana and Akash Deep (injuries).

Ajinkta Rahane signals delay in Cameron Green’s bowling return. (ANI and KKR Image)

While he has resumed bowling in practice, Rahane suggested at the toss that he may still not be ready to take up bowling duties in a match situation.

When asked about Green’s bowling and what it adds to the combination, Rahane explained that his availability with the ball would greatly improve team balance, giving Kolkata Knight Riders more flexibility in their overall setup.

"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 at the toss.

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Meanwhile, Sunil Narine returned to KKR's playing XI for the crucial clash on Thursday after missing the Punjab Kings clash, which was washed out due to rain. However, his spin partner Varun Chakarvarthy missed out as he is still recovering from the 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.

LSG opt to bowl against KKR

Rishabh Pant shared his thoughts after opting to bowl first, underlining his side’s intent to apply early pressure and the belief they have in their bowling unit, while also reflecting on how a recent win has lifted the mood in the camp and strengthened their approach.

"I think looking to bowl first. We want to put opposition at the back. Like I said before, we trust our bowlers enough that they might do a good job for us. (How significant was that win?) We feel, you know, victory definitely adds to the atmosphere of the team. We always talk about being positive, being having that intent at the same time. When you win, I think when people see all that are coming together, really happy for that. We're playing with the same team. No change for us. (How do they balance their batting order?) We feel, our top order is definitely batting heavy, but at the same time we trust our top order to get us through the whole innings. You know, that's what we are here for," Pant said at the toss.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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