Abu Dhabi, Dec 16 (NationPress) Kolkata Knight Riders' CEO Venky Mysore stated that they invested a significant amount to acquire Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green as he fit well within their intended budget. He emphasized that adding a young all-rounder right after appointing a power coach aligns perfectly with their strategic plans.

Green was secured by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a record-breaking Rs. 25.20 crores during the Indian Premier League 2026 auction, which is currently taking place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

"We are delighted with this acquisition. This was a priority for us, and we were hopeful for a favorable outcome. The auction always brings uncertainty, so we were cautiously optimistic. We believe we got him at a fair price, and he adds substantial value to our team. With Andre Russell joining us as our new power coach, having a talented young all-rounder with IPL and international experience is a perfect match. His ability with both bat and ball, particularly in Eden's conditions, makes us extremely satisfied with this outcome," Mysore mentioned during a press conference.

Furthermore, the KKR CEO clarified that they wouldn't have gone overboard trying to secure Green if it jeopardized their overall auction strategy.

"There were concerns about the price escalating. If it had, we would have reconsidered our approach. We were keen on him but not overly attached; had we believed it could disrupt our auction plans, we would have let him go. Fortunately, it fell within our expected range, so we are very pleased with this addition to our squad," he stated.

When asked about the surprising interest from Chennai Super Kings in bidding for Cameron Green after Rajasthan Royals stepped away at INR 12 crore, Mysore replied, "There were no surprises. We prepared thoroughly. The unexpected factor was Rajasthan's participation, which might have been a strategic move. But we anticipated CSK’s involvement and were glad to have another bid that ultimately benefited us."

He also expressed his support for the regulations limiting the number of foreign players a franchise can acquire and the salary cap of 18 crores for individual players.

"The BCCI/IPL wisely set the player salary cap at 18 crores. From our perspective, we have no concerns regarding this. It’s a budget outflow for the franchise, and we are fine with it. We don’t believe this affects the auction process," Mysore explained.

In response to a question about the lower price fetched by former KKR player Venkatesh Iyer in this auction compared to his previous high price, he noted that it all depends on auction strategy.

"It's challenging to answer that definitively. We did pursue him, but auction dynamics are complex. He’s been an outstanding player for us and will be missed. Auctions can lead to such outcomes," he commented.

Regarding areas they aim to strengthen, he mentioned the need to reset their strategy.

"We have an incredible think tank. We've had to reset for various reasons. With Abhishek Nayar as head coach, Dwayne Bravo as mentor, Shane Watson as assistant coach, and now Andre Russell as our power-coach, our leadership is solid. We are analyzing our conditions closely to build a competitive team. We felt we missed certain aspects last season, and we are keen to address those in this auction. So far, it's been a good start for us," Mysore concluded on their future plans.