The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be facing the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Thursday. The Knights are still searching for their first win of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 as they have lost two and drawn one game so far. The franchise’s highest-paid player, Cameron Green, of INR 25.20 crore, is yet to fire in the tournament.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik has lashed out at Cameron Green. Green has not bowled in the IPL so far and has failed to score runs in the tournament as well. He has just scored 18 runs in the first match, and in the second game, he was unfortunately run-out and in the third match, he also failed.
I am not seeing anything coming from Cameron Green- Murali Kartik
Ahead of the match against LSG, Kartik believes that KKR must shift to the option of Tim Seifert in the match, and Ajinkya Rahane can bat at No.3. The opening pair of Seifert and Finn Allen helped New Zealand to qualify for the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. However, the former is yet to play a game for KKR.
Kartik said, "I will make a change, I have been saying this right from the start that Finn Allen and Tim Seifert should open the innings together, and Ajinkya Rahane can bat at No.3. I am not seeing anything coming from Cameron Green, to be very honest. He is not even bowling."
"You have a settled opening pair who know each other really well, and if they can start well on the good Kolkata surface, then that would be great," Murali Kartik said on Cricbuzz.
Cameron Green is yet to score big for KKR
In three innings, Cameron Green has only scored 24 runs at an average of 8.00 and a strike rate of 171.42. KKR also have the option of Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand. The franchise also have Rovman Powell, who was in the starting XI for the home match against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) since star spinner Sunil Narine was unwell.
The Kolkata Knight Riders captain, Ajinkya Rahane, is also under huge pressure as he has not led the side as per the expectations, and in the last game, he was criticised for batting first after winning the toss on a wicket that was under cover for a day due to rain and was dry.
Their original opening pair returned- Murali Kartik
Murali Kartik also suggested that LSG should not make any changes to their batting order and open with Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh, and Rishabh Pant should bat at no.3. LSG won a thriller in the last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The former KKR spinner also named the players who might fire in this game.
"The most important thing for Lucknow was that their original opening pair returned, and the position that Rishabh Pant is currently playing in, please stay there. The player to watch out for me would be Bison (Mitchell Marsh) and Finn Allen," Murali Kartik concluded.
Also Read: KKR vs LSG Playing XI: Predicted Lineups, Full Team News & Impact Players - IPL 2026 Match 15
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