Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayadu calls Cricket Australia’s decision nonsensical after not making Cameron Green bowl in the initial stage of the IPL. Cameron Green, who was purchased at a whopping price of 25.20 cr. in the IPL auction by Kolkata Knight Riders, didn’t bowl even a single over in their first game against the Mumbai Indians.
Kolkata spent a huge amount of money on the Australian all-rounder for the current season. However, just like Ambati Rayadu, every fan was surprised when Cameron Green was not given the ball to bowl, despite being available in the field. When asked about this decision by the KKR captain, he said, ‘You should ask Cricket Australia.’
Ambati Rayudu slams Cricket Australia and Cameron Green
After the completion of the match, during a recent discussion on ESPNCricinfo, the former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu bashed Cricket Australia (CA) for a weird decision, where an international player was stopped from bowling to manage his workload.
After KKR’s two main bowlers, Harshit Rana and Matheesha Pathirana (for first half), are not available for the current season due to their respective injuries. The KKR team management had a lot of expectations of the mighty Australian all-rounder. However, when it came out that for the initial matches, he would not be available to bowl, it marked the debate over Cricket Australia (CA).
On this, the Ambati Rayudu trolled Cricket Australia, saying,” Can he play a cover drive or not? Maybe he might just injure his elbow. Maybe he should just flick the ball.”
This decision made KKR lose their opening match against the Mumbai Indians, as in the second innings, when Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickleton were at the crease, they failed to break through and later made a huge partnership of 148 runs while chasing a target of 221. If Cameron Green were given a chance to bowl, the story could be different for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Strong Words from Ambati Rayudu: ‘The Player Knows Best
Going further on this, Ambati Rayadu said that the cricket board is not the best one to judge a player, especially when it comes to workload management, calling it absurd.
“My mom always wanted me to wear a helmet, but I never liked it. Does not mean that my mom signs a contract and sends me out saying that, ‘he can’t play, my son might get injured’,” an agitated Ambati Rayudu added.
This decision resulted in KKR losing their opening game by 6 wickets despite scoring a huge total of 220 runs on the board. MI chased down the target in 19.1 overs.
Piyush Chawla Stands with Ambati Rayudu on Cameron Green Controversy
During the same discussion, former India and MI leg-spinner Piyush Chawla backed Ambati Rayudu over the latter’s views on Cameron Green not being allowed to bowl by CA in the IPL. He questioned whether an all-rounder would feature in a BBL playing XI, given the same circumstances. Chawla stated:
“Okay, his board has said that he can’t bowl for a particular number of games. I just want to know if some all-rounder goes to Big Bash and if you write that note that he can’t bat or he can’t run, will they be featured in the playing XI? I don’t think so. Why is it here like this? As simple as that.”