Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has expressed worry about overseas all-rounders facing restrictions from national boards in franchise leagues. He highlighted the case of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who has not bowled in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 despite being signed for Rs 25.20 crore for his all-round abilities. This has led to discussions on team balance and player utilization, with Green’s absence in bowling roles being a focal point.
Jaffer emphasized the need for franchises to have complete autonomy in deciding how players are utilized once they join a privately owned league. He criticized the situation where a player like Green is unable to showcase all his skills due to external restrictions imposed by national boards. Jaffer argued that teams invest significant amounts in players with specific skill sets and not utilizing those skills, especially due to reasons like workload management, is unfair to the franchises.
Following KKR’s matches in the IPL, captain Ajinkya Rahane hinted that Cricket Australia’s influence played a role in the decision to limit Green’s bowling opportunities. This suggests that external factors beyond the team’s control are affecting player roles within the franchise league. Cricket Australia later confirmed that Green’s workload management is due to a lower back issue, with the franchise being informed about this restriction beforehand.
Despite his limited role in bowling during matches, Green has been seen practicing his bowling during training sessions, indicating a potential return to full all-round duties as he progresses in his recovery. However, Green’s performance with the bat has also been underwhelming in the current season, contributing to Kolkata Knight Riders’ losses in their initial matches. His struggles with the bat have impacted the team’s standings, placing them at the ninth position in the points table.
