Kolkata Knight Riders Latest IPL 2026 News: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has asked the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) management to seriously consider dropping Australia all-rounder Cameron Green from the playing XI if he doesn’t bowl, given the fact that the three-time IPL champions have far better options in batting than Green. The 26-year-old was picked by KKR for 25 crores in the auction for his all-round ability with the bat and bowl, and that ideally would have done a world of good to the balance of the KKR side. Green, however, is nursing an injury and has played the first couple of matches in the IPL – purely as a batter. In the first match against Mumbai Indians, he was dismissed for 18, while the second match saw him score 2, clearly a move that has not quite worked for KKR.
Cameron Not Good Enough Purely As A Batter
Highlighting New Zealand opener Tim Seifert’s ability to start the innings, Harbhajan reckons that he is a far better option for KKR in place of Green, purely as a batter, if the Aussie all-rounder is not fit enough to bowl, adding that even West Indian power-hitter Rovman Powell could also be looked at as a possible option to replace the 26-year-old.
“I feel that Cameron Green doesn’t fit in this team, and the simple reason is that he isn’t bowling. The team should bring in Tim Seifert and have him open the innings, because if Cameron Green isn’t going to bowl, there are better options available purely as a batter. That option is Seifert. Then there’s Rovman Powell, who could also be played,” Harbhajan highlighted on his YouTube channel.
KKR have got off to a torrid start in the Indian Premier League this season, having lost both their games against Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Against Mumbai, KKR failed to defend 220 at the Wankhede Stadium, while against Hyderabad they conceded way too many while bowling first, and lost the match by 65 runs at the Eden Gardens. This is the first time since 2012 that KKR have lost both their opening matches in the league. However, they can take confidence from the fact that they eventually went on to win their first IPL title in that very season.
“Now suddenly KKR’s team must be feeling the pressure because they have lost both of their first two matches, one at home and one away. If they want to make a comeback from here, they need to fix a few things. First, they have been hit hard in both matches, first by Mumbai and now at home by SRH,” he added.
When is KKR’s Next Match in IPL 2026?
KKR will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their next match, scheduled to be played at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Monday, April 6, 2026. Having lost both their matches, they are languishing at the bottom of the points table at 9, just ahead of Chennai Super Kings, owing to a better run-rate. Rajasthan Royals, due to a superior run-rate, are placed at the top of the points table, followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, MI, and Punjab Kings, all of which have got off to a winning start in this season.
