Cameron Green has discovered immediately that a hefty price tag is no guarantee of success in the Indian Premier League.
His eagerly-awaited debut with the Mumbai Indians proved to be a big flop.
Australia’s most expensive recruit in the history of the IPL, snapped up at the auction for $3.15 million, got bowled for just five off four balls.
That’s not all.
He was smashed all over the park for 30 runs off his two overs as Mumbai were thrashed by eight wickets, by a Virat Kohli-inspired Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Green first got the treatment from RCB’s inspired captain Faf du Plessis, who smacked him for a six and two fours in his first IPL over.
Ironically, his next tormentor proved to be fellow Aussie, IPL veteran Glenn Maxwell, who smashed him for two sixes in a row.
The allrounder did at least pick up his maiden wicket, getting Dinesh Karthik caught in the deep.
When Mumbai batted, Green was in at first wicket down in the third over.
A lot was expected from the 23 year-old but but he was back in the pavilion in the fourth after an inside edge off English paceman Reece Topley clattered into his stumps.
Mumbai went on to make 7-171, thanks largely to Tilak Varma’s brutal 84 not out off 46 balls.
Du Plessis was voted player of the match after his blistering 73 off 43 balls.
RCB’s South African skipper, who hit six sixes, and Kohli put on 148 for the opening wicket to ensure the victory was never in doubt.
Earlier on Sunday, in Hyderabad, the Rajasthan Royals showed off their potent batting with Jos Buttler leading the way with 54 off 22 balls, while Yashasvi Jaiswal (54) and captain Sanju Samson (55) also got half-centuries in their 5-203 against the Sunsrisers.
Hyderabad could only muster 8-131 in response after Trent Boult (2-21) dismantled the home team’s batting by claiming two wickets in his first over before conceding a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal then grabbed 4-17 to lead the Royals to the resounding 72-run win.
