RCB have to decide whether they want to take a gamble on Cameron Green's fitness or release him into the auction pool.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) face a challenging decision regarding Cameron Green’s future with the franchise after recent reports revealed his need for extended recovery following spine surgery. RCB, who traded Green in from the Mumbai Indians last season for a notable INR 17.5 crores, saw a fair performance from the Australian all-rounder in IPL 2024.
Green tallied over 200 runs and took 10 wickets, proving valuable across batting and bowling. However, with a six-month recovery period following his surgery for a stress fracture in his spine, Green’s availability for IPL 2025 remains uncertain.
Green’s surgery, reportedly to stabilize recurring spinal issues, has effectively sidelined him from Australia’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, and even the Champions Trophy.
Medical experts have projected Green’s return tentatively around late March, just before IPL 2025, but emphasize that while he might recover sufficiently to bat, he may not be fully fit to resume bowling. Such a scenario raises concerns for RCB, who would ideally rely on Green’s dual capabilities.
With the IPL 2025 retention deadline approaching, RCB must assess if holding on to Green aligns with their strategies or if they should release him back to the auction pool. While retaining him could be a valuable long-term investment, it’s risky given the likelihood of limited performance capabilities immediately post-recovery.
Moreover, as Green’s fitness evolves, RCB faces competition risks. Releasing him could make him an auction target for other franchises, especially as he’s perceived as a high-potential asset when fully fit.
If RCB chooses to part ways, they might redirect their attention toward strengthening other areas or retaining a more immediately reliable all-rounder, such as Will Jacks, who has shown promise in previous season. Glenn Maxwell and Mohammad Siraj also remain pivotal in their retention considerations.
The choice ultimately rests on RCB’s willingness to gamble on Green’s uncertain return or pivot their focus toward building a more stable squad for the upcoming season.
(Prasenjiit Dey has been working as a sports journalist for about a decade. You can follow him on X and instagram.)
