Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane revealed that Cameron Green did not bowl in Friday’s IPL 2026 defeat to the Gujarat Titans because the Australian all-rounder was battling cramps. KKR’s big-money signing, bought for Rs 25.20 crore, played a crucial hand with the bat, scoring a valuable 79 off 55 balls to help the three-time champions post 180 in Ahmedabad.
Green’s knock was the lone standout in an otherwise uneven batting display from KKR. He took a little time to settle in, but once he found his rhythm, he counterattacked smartly and kept the scoreboard moving. Even though he could not add a late flourish in the final overs, his innings gave Kolkata a fighting total on a tricky evening.
The 2026 IPL match, however, was not only about Green’s bat. He also produced a brilliant catch in the field to dismiss Shubman Gill, but his fitness issue kept him off the ground for long stretches and ruled him out of bowling. That absence was felt most in the closing stages, when KKR had limited bowling options left.
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With Anukul Roy not an ideal choice for the 20th over, Rahane had to turn to Ramandeep Singh instead. “He was actually struggling with cramps, which is why he was in and out of the field. That’s the reason he didn’t bowl,” Ajinkya Rahane said after the match.
GT needed 181 to win and got there comfortably, with Gill leading the chase with a classy 86 off 50 balls. Reflecting on the loss, Rahane said KKR still had positives to take despite another disappointing result.
“It’s never easy to come out and talk immediately after losing a game. But I’d like to focus on the positives. The way we started, losing three wickets early, it was tough,” Ajinkya Rahane said. “Cameron Green’s innings was outstanding, he was under pressure, but the way he counterattacked and took on their bowlers was amazing to see.”
He also admitted that KKR fell slightly short with the bat and needed more pressure through the powerplay.
“At 147 for 4, getting to around 180 was slightly difficult for us as a batting unit. But credit to our bowlers, the way they bowled and took the game till the last over, everyone contributed really well,” he added. “I thought he batted really well. The lengths we bowled were slightly on the shorter side, and the ball was coming onto the bat nicely when pitched up. There was also a bit of dew.”
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Despite the setbacks, Rahane urged his side to stay positive as KKR remain on just one point after six matches. “It’s all about staying in the moment. When things aren’t going your way, you tend to overthink. We just need to focus on the present, go out there, enjoy the game, and back ourselves as a unit,” he said.
