Despite the Kolkata Knight Riders’ challenging start to the IPL season, all-rounder Cameron Green stated the team never lost hope and that their current comeback is a result of finally striking the correct balance and combinations.
After spending a significant portion of the 2026 season near the bottom of the points standings, KKR’s four straight victories—including an overwhelming eight-wicket triumph against Delhi Capitals in Delhi on Friday—have restored their chances of making the playoffs.
“I don’t think the belief was ever gone. We’ve had a really good culture throughout the tournament. Even before we won a game, it hasn’t felt like we’ve lost every game by how upbeat everyone’s been,” PTI quoted Green telling reporters.
After the KKR spinners restricted DC to an under par 142/8, Finn Allen finished the chase on his own with an incredible unbroken 100 off 47 balls.
“We have fought really hard to get back into it, and our bowlers have been awesome throughout. That was another exceptional game today.”
Green thought it took KKR a while to decide on the team lineup and batting roles.
“Our team was probably just finding the right combination and where guys should bat to best suit the team. We obviously took a few games to work that out but it was best for me and what was best for the other guys on the team. We’ve got to a really good place with that now.”
Earlier in the season, the Australian all-rounder faced criticism after Cricket Australia refused to give him permission to bowl.
“The support staff never put any pressure on me, they’ve been awesome to me since day one. They never made it feel like there’s any extra pressure on me compared to anyone else in the team.
“There’s always pressure on international players because there’s only four of us in the team at any given point. So, you have to be performing at all times because there’s guys on the bench that are also ready to go. I’ve never felt any pressure and I have the support staff to thank for that.”
Green has resumed bowling, but he hasn’t finished his allotted four overs in a match. The Australian emphasized that this isn’t because he isn’t fit.
“I’m 100% ready to bowl four overs. With the makeup of our team – we’ve got Anukul (Roy), who has been exceptional for us, bowling one or two overs. So, that means I can only bowl two or three overs, which has been a really big help.
“Having a left-arm all-rounder to potentially bowl through the middle gives us some flexibility and then I can bowl in the powerplay and potentially the death, or through the middle as well.
“So, it’s just the makeup of our team that we’ve got six guys that we can go to. Obviously, having myself and Anukul as the all-rounders there means we just help each other out and bowl our four overs,” he added.
Green had the greatest seat in the house to witness Allen’s vicious attack after taking the valuable wicket of KL Rahul and contributing a 33 not out. In his amazing knock, the Kiwi hammered 10 sixes.
“I wasn’t surprised by what he did tonight. Finn was exceptional today. He’s been really good for us -he’s got off to amazing starts every single time he’s been out there. That’s exactly what we have got him in the team for. He’s one of the best in the world at doing that and putting pressure back on.
“When he gets to 30 or 40, that he’s very hard to get out because he just keeps going. He never really tries to rein it back in.”
KKR will next play Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur on May 13.
