Just before the start of IPL 2026, KKR will be relieved to see their star all-rounder Cameron Green in some good form in their sign-off game in the Sheffield Shield. This was his first red-ball century since May 2025 and his first in any format since August 2025.
Western Australia faced New South Wales in the last round of Sheffield Shield and Australian all-rounder Cameron Green made a big bet by playing the match for Kolkata Knight Riders before coming back with big earnings in the IPL.
Green started his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians and then played for Royal Challengers Bangalore the following season after being signed by the Red Devils. He missed the 2025 season due to injuries and is set to return with a third franchise in 2026.
Cameron Green returns to form with a brilliant century before IPL 2026
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a huge amount in the IPL. He broke the record of spending the most money on a foreign cricketer. However, Green’s steady decline in form has raised KKR’s concerns.
Cameron Green missed a single 50+ score in the Ashes series against England and then could not do much as Australia crashed out of the ICC T20 World Cup group stage after defeats against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
However, in the final game of the Sheffield Shield season, Green showed something special. After a slow start, scoring his first run after 21 balls, he managed to score a century off 167 balls.
He then smashed the New South Wales bowlers all around the park and gave them some big blows, as his unbeaten 130 gave Western Australia a promising lead over New South Wales on the second day.
This Sheffield Shield century could help Green retain his Australia team spot in red-ball cricket
The KKR all-rounder’s last century came in August when he scored a quick century in an ODI against South Africa. His last red-ball century came in English county cricket in May Gloucestershire.
Despite his poor form, the Australian selectors favored him over Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster, who ultimately played his only Ashes game in the final Test at the SCG. Unlike Green, Webster also made excellent contributions with both bat and ball.
However, this Shield century could help him retain his place in the Australian middle order when he returns to play Test cricket in August. Australia’s Test schedule features their upcoming matches against Bangladesh in August, followed by three in South Africa and four more at home against New Zealand.
Will KKR expect Cameron Green to bowl in IPL 2026?
KKR must have had high expectations from selecting Cameron Green. Green had a stellar debut season for Mumbai Indians, scoring 400+ runs and taking 10+ wickets in his debut season. The next season was a bit weak with the bat for RCB, as they were pushed down the order, but their bowling also served them well.
However, KKR will definitely give him the desired role at no. 3, because they were looking for just such a player. KKR paid him Rs 25.20 crore in the IPL mini-auction, the highest paid by any foreign cricketer, surpassing teammate Mitchell Starc’s record in the IPL.
Perhaps KKR had given him this much money considering it ideal to bowl a few overs. Although he has registered as a specialist batsman, the KKR management has seen him bowl in the T20 World Cup and may want to utilize his seam bowling, especially with many of their frontline bowlers out.
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