former australian captain ricky ponting has given a candid assessment of Cameron Green’s international travel, in which he the ashes series This has highlighted the challenges for an all-rounder, despite his big purchases in IPL 2026.
Green, whom Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bought for a record ₹25.20 crore as the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, has managed only 76 runs and two wickets in three Test matches as Australia swept the series early. Ponting’s comments, which were shared during an ICC review, underline the gap between Green’s potential and his current performances, while his unique skill set keeps him in the selectors’ plans.
Ricky Ponting highlights Cameron Green’s ordinary career stats
The 26-year-old Green, who made his Test debut against India in Adelaide five years ago, has scored 1,641 runs in 35 matches, including two centuries, and taken 37 wickets at an average of 32.82. His major innings include a gritty inning of 114 runs played in Ahmedabad during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and an unbeaten inning of 174 runs played in Wellington in March 2024, which led Australia to a 172-run win against New Zealand. However, Ponting noted that Green’s domestic average had fallen below 30, due to his limited bowling impact following back surgery and only two centuries in 30-plus Tests.It is very difficult to assess him as an international player.“
Ponting took Green’s “Very complete package” When he is firing, he praised the players and coaches in the dressing room.Totally love what he brings to the groupNevertheless, he pointed to inconsistency as the main problem, prompting the deep thinker to simplify his approach rather than continue tinkering. It comes amid Australia retaining Green at No. 7, sidelining competitors such as Beau Webster, whom Ponting described as ,unsuitable, this summer.unlucky player” said, who had put in a strong domestic performance.
IPL 2026 expectations and Ponting’s advice for Green’s improvement
The huge bid made for KKR’s Green at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi surpassed Mitchell Starc’s previous overseas record of ₹24.75 crore, which also included Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals., and Chennai Super Kings before KKR sealed the deal with a base price of ₹2 crore. Although Green takes home ₹18 crore after BCCI’s player development deductions, KKR head coach Abhishek Nair gives him andre russell He is seen as the anchor of the top order, aiming for 500 runs in the top three with his powerplay ability. Anil Kumble supported this strategy, suggesting that Green be placed at No. 3 while KKR have depth in Rinku Singh and Rovman Powell.
Green’s IPL track record is 707 runs and 16 wickets in 29 matches with Mumbai Indians (2023) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (2024), although he skipped IPL 2025 due to back surgery. Now fully cleared to bowl, his all-round abilities match perfectly with KKR’s balance needs, especially after Russell. Ponting expressed surprise at the excitement of the auction—”Over ₹25 crores…that’s a lot of money!“—but he supported Greene’s long-term benefits if he remained committed to one method.
Ponting advised Green in ICC review, “Keep things as simple as possible, think about what you have done in domestic cricket and take your domestic game to a test match and rely on it for a while।”
He is confident that experience at the highest level will refine Green, predicting that the selectors will be patient given the investment in more than 30 Tests. As Green looks towards the Boxing Day Test and IPL glory, Ponting’s measured criticism highlights the pressure on the ₹25.20 crore star to provide consistency across formats. The confidence of his Australian teammates and KKR’s vision signals confidence, but Green’s development depends on mastering ingenuity amid high stakes.
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