Mumbai, March 29 Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane is disappointed that Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, the team's most expensive buy at ₹25.20 crore, didn't bowl during their team's crushing six-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians, failing to defend a target of 220.
Rohit Sharma (78) and Ryan Rickelton (81) added 148 runs for the opening stand and dominated a KKR lineup where Varun Chakravarthy's mystery spin was exposed, and the pacers lacked quality. In this context, Rahane admitted that he missed Green's medium-paced bowling, which is currently unavailable due to Cricket Australia's diktat.
"Why couldn't Green bowl?" he was asked, and the sharp reply came, "You need to ask Cricket Australia."
However, he also added that Green's second skill set would be very important for the franchise.
"Hopefully, Green will start bowling soon, and the combination will be slightly different. It was really tough (for the bowlers). An inexperienced bowling attack, but these boys will learn. A strong batting lineup. So, it's a learning curve. I thought MI batted well. So, our bowlers will definitely learn," Rahane tried to put things in perspective.
Rahane also assured his fans that he had cramps and it wasn't anything serious when he hobbled out in the fourth over of MI's chase.
"I feel okay, but I had a lot of cramps, especially in my calves. Hopefully, I'll be fine."
Asked about his 67 off 41 balls, he expressed his satisfaction about his own performance.
"I am still young," he said jokingly.
"But yeah, I am really happy with the way I am batting at the moment. We batted really well, but finding that balance with the ball is really important," he added.
Glad that we could start with a win
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MI won their first IPL game after 13 seasons, and captain Hardik Pandya couldn't be happier.
"Obviously, it has been a long wait. Every time we have come, we wanted to start the season on a high. The whole group is very happy that we were able to do it," he said.
Pandya said that he was confident that chasing a target of 221 would not be a problem.
"Modern cricket, plus we've seen what this wicket plays like. Credit to the bowlers, not letting KKR fly away to 240s or 250s. Those become tough targets, but 220 is always chaseable."
He was full of praise for his opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, who added 148 in just 72 balls.
"Rohit and Ryan were outstanding. Ryan has done very well for us last year, and whenever I see Ro (Rohit) play some shots, it opens everyone's mouth. Nothing short of excellent, nothing short of outstanding," he added.