New Delhi: After a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign, Cameron Green’s struggles with the bat continued as the Australian all-rounder was dismissed for a duck in the opening ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan.Green was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a record Rs 25.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction, making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history. However, the hefty price tag failed to translate into the kind of performances KKR were hoping for.
The poor run continued in Rawalpindi, where Pakistani youngster Arafat Minhas made a brilliant start to his ODI career. Minhas, who finished with five wickets on debut, dismissed Green without troubling the scorers.The young spinner delivered a slightly short ball on his leg stump which turned sharply wide. Green remained rooted in his crease and failed to pick the turn. The ball beat his bat and hit the top off-stump, ending his stay at the crease instantly.Green’s IPL campaign was also disappointing. Representing KKR, he scored 322 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 145.70. Despite some useful contributions, he was unable to consistently justify the registration fee.
Green remains the most expensive foreign player in IPL history, while Rishabh Pant holds the record for most expensive player overall after Lucknow Super Giants bought him for Rs 27 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.
KKR’s season reflects Green’s struggles. The three-time champions failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing seventh in the standings with six wins, seven defeats and no result from 14 league matches under skipper Ajinkya Rahane.The campaign got off to a poor start, with losses to Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad exposing weaknesses in both departments. Although they had some memorable wins against Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, consistency remained their biggest challenge.A dramatic Super Over win over Lucknow Super Giants briefly revived KKR’s playoff hopes, but crucial defeats later in the season proved costly. A A six-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru dented their chances, while a 40-run defeat to Delhi Capitals in their final league match effectively summed up a frustrating campaign marked by missed opportunities and inconsistency.