Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Thursday. The Knights are still looking for their first win in the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 as they have lost two games and drawn one so far. The franchise’s highest-paid player, Cameron Green, at Rs 25.20 crore, has not been able to perform well in the tournament so far.
Former Indian spinner Murali Karthik has targeted Cameron Green fiercely. Green has not bowled in the IPL so far and has also failed to score runs in the tournament. In the first match he scored only 18 runs and in the second match he was unfortunately run out and in the third match also he failed.
I don’t see anything coming from Cameron Green-Murali Karthik
Before the match against LSG, Karthik believes that KKR should focus on the option of Tim Seifert in the match and Ajinkya Rahane can bat at number 3. The opening pair of Seifert and Finn Allen helped New Zealand qualify for the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. However, the former player has not played any match for KKR yet.
Karthik said, “I will make one change, I have been saying from the beginning that Finn Allen and Tim Seifert should open the innings together and Ajinkya Rahane can bat at No. 3. To be very honest, I do not see anything coming from Cameron Green. He is not even bowling.”
Murali Karthik on Cricbuzz said, “You have a settled opening pair who know each other well, and if they can get off to a good start on a good Kolkata surface, it would be great.”
Cameron Green has not been able to score big for KKR yet
In three innings, Cameron Green has scored only 24 runs at an average of 8.00 and strike rate of 171.42. KKR also has the option of New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra. The franchise also has Rovman Powell, who was in the starting eleven for the home match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) after star spinner Sunil Narine became unwell.
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane is also under immense pressure as he has not led the team as per the expectations and in the last game, he was criticized for winning the toss and batting first on a dry wicket which was covered for a day due to rain.
Their original opening pair returned – Murali Karthik
Murali Karthik also suggested that LSG should not make any changes to their batting order and should start with Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh and make Rishabh Pant bat at No. 3. LSG achieved a thrilling win in the last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The former KKR spinner also named the players who can create a stir in this game.
Murali Karthik concluded, “The most important thing for Lucknow was that their original opening pair came back, and in the position Rishabh Pant is currently playing in, please stay put. The players to keep an eye on for me would be Bison (Mitchell Marsh) and Finn Allen.”
Also Read: KKR vs LSG Playing XI: Predicted Lineups, Full Team News and Impact Players – IPL 2026 Match 15
