Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin raised concerns over player workload and suggested that franchises should have the option to reduce payments if contracted roles are not fulfilled.
His comments came in the context of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Cameron Green, who was bought for Rs 25.20 crore and will be part of the side’s campaign starting against Mumbai Indians on March 29 in Mumbai. Green’s form and bowling workload in recent months have been limited, drawing attention ahead of the tournament.
During the T20 World Cup, Green scored 24 runs in three innings with a highest score of 21. He bowled three overs across two matches and picked up one wicket.
In a recent Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia against New South Wales, where he scored a century, he did not bowl.
In the T20I series against Pakistan before the World Cup, Green bowled four overs in two matches and took one wicket. During the 2025/26 The Ashes, he picked up four wickets, bowling 61.5 overs across five matches and nine innings, averaging 70.75.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said, “There is a question about Cameron Green.
Will Cricket Australia allow him to bowl all four overs? That is also a possibility. In this scenario, the Australian board is saying to Green that he can play in the IPL, but Test cricket is very important for us, so you can play only this much of workload,” said Ashwin, as cited by news agency ANI.
Ashwin added that franchises should be allowed to adjust payments if players are unable to meet expectations, especially with the ball.
“IPL teams also should have an opportunity where if he bowls only two overs, then they should deduct 2 crores. Why not? If he is not able to deliver his four overs, then you should have the right to cut their money, right? When you came into the IPL auction, the expectation was that you would bowl all four overs, and also bat. If there is no restriction on bowling, then great, but if there is restriction, the team should be allowed to cut from the contract money,” he said.
“Imagine if you are Shah Rukh Khan, and you have paid 25 crores for a player. But then he comes and says that, ‘Sir, I will bowl only one over today, or bowl only 10 balls a day’. How will you feel?” he added.
