According to former Australian opener Aaron Finch, the Kolkata Knight Riders are starting to feel “panicked” about the performance of their star import, Cameron Green.
After three matches in this year’s IPL, Green has managed scores of 18, 2, and 4, without taking to the bowling crease.
He was acquired for a staggering $4.2 million at the IPL auction, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history.
He kicked off the season with a score of 18 runs off 10 balls against the Mumbai Indians, following a strong start from teammates Finn Allen and Ajinkya Rahane.
In his second match against the Sunrisers, Green found himself run out for 2, a misfortune caused by fellow Knight Rider Angkrish Raghuvanshi.
Cameron Green has had a rough start to the IPL. AP
In his third match against the Punjab Kings, Green was dismissed on just his second ball, caught behind off the bowling of fellow Aussie Xavier Bartlett.
Finch, speaking on ESPN, noted that “there’s a bit of panic” within KKR, but reiterated the importance of sticking with Green to solidify his position in the batting order.
“One of those dismissals was a run out that wasn’t his fault,” Finch mentioned.
“Nonetheless, he’s missed out twice now. There is a sense of concern; he doesn’t appear to be the same player as before. When he was batting at the top order for (Mumbai), his intent was entirely different.
“Last season, when he consistently batted at No. 3, he scored 452 runs over 16 innings with a strike rate of 160.28 and an average of 50.22. He was dominant at the crease, but now he seems hesitant.
“Don’t push him down in the order. Either give him a higher spot or let him have a breather.”
Cameron Green also faced challenges during the home Ashes series. Getty
Green’s batting form has been under scrutiny for several months. In the Ashes series, he accumulated 171 runs across eight innings at an average of 24.42, with a highest score of 45 in Brisbane. Notably, his average was somewhat inflated by a score of 22 not out in the fifth Test held in Sydney.
With the ball, he managed to secure just 4 wickets for 283 runs from 61.5 overs throughout the series, averaging 70.7.
As questions about Green’s form persist, Finch highlighted that factors beyond his control are not helping. He pointed to the decision made by KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane to bat first against the Kings.
In the lead-up to the match, the pitch had been covered due to rain, and when play finally commenced, it was clear that moisture would benefit the seam bowlers.
When KKR had posted 2 wickets for 25 runs in the fourth over—after Bartlett dismissed Finn Allen caught behind—rain returned and the match was ultimately abandoned.
“Choosing to bat first after the wicket has been covered for a day makes absolutely no sense,” Finch remarked.
“That serves as a red flag. It’s not just about being two down for 25. It’s the fact that ‘we shouldn’t be batting’. It’s a poor decision when faced with so much information.”
“Considering the overcast conditions and previous rain, it raises eyebrows that they opted to take first strike. DLS tends to favour the team batting second when conditions are slippery.”
“They had all the information available, so it’s baffling how they reached such a conclusion.”
Compiled by SportArena.au.
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