Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) assistant coach Shane Watson has expressed immense excitement about the franchise's blockbuster purchase of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, for whom they shelled out a staggering Rs 25.2 crore in the recent IPL 2025 auction. The 2024 champions outbid rivals Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals to secure the services of the highly-rated cricketer.
Watson's High Praise for Green's All-Round Talent
In an interview on the KKR website, Watson, a legendary all-rounder himself, revealed he has always been a "massive fan" of Green. "I know what it takes to push the limits to be the best all-rounder you can be. I've always loved everything about Cameron Green – his skill set as a batter and his incredible skill as a bowler," Watson stated. He highlighted Green's physical attributes and eagerness to develop, noting his own long-standing desire to work closely with the 26-year-old.
Watson emphasised that his role at KKR now provides the perfect opportunity to mentor Green. "I get a chance to be able to work with him and pass on my knowledge that I was so fortunate to gain throughout my playing days," he added, underscoring the value of this new partnership for the player's growth.
Strategic Auction Move After a Disappointing Season
This mega-signing comes on the heels of a disappointing title defence in IPL 2024, where KKR finished a lowly 8th in the points table. The franchise entered the auction with the highest purse after releasing several big names, including Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell. This created significant financial firepower, which they deployed aggressively.
Apart from Green, KKR invested heavily in Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana (Rs 18 crore), and also brought in Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, and Mustafizur Rahman to bolster their squad for the upcoming season.
Versatility and Future Potential Key to High Bid
Explaining the rationale behind the record bid, Watson detailed Green's unique value proposition. "He can bat in the top three – he has scored IPL hundreds there – or if needed, he can also bat at six and seven as an incredible power-hitter. That makes him incredibly versatile," Watson analysed.
He further praised Green's bowling, calling him a "world-class fast bowler" who benefits from his height and bounce. Watson also pointed to the excellent support system at KKR for Green's development. "He's got Dwayne Bravo and also Andre Russell to work with, along with myself, to develop his T20 bowling skills," he said.
Concluding on a confident note, Watson affirmed the franchise's conviction in the player. "We were adamant to get him because we knew the calibre of cricketer he is. He's a young guy too, only 26, so he's got a lot of years of IPL cricket left in him," he said, justifying the monumental investment in Cameron Green's future.
