The Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s decision to drop Cameron Green comes after the Indian Premier League franchise handed the Australian all-rounder a “confusing and unsettling” role within the side.

Eighteen months ago, the 24-year-old was signed by the Mumbai Indians on a record $3.15 million contract, helping the team qualify for last year’s finals with a dazzling century against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at Wankhede Stadium.

However, desperate to secure the services of all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of the 2024 tournament, Mumbai traded Green to the Royal Challengers during the off-season.

In his first five matches at Bangalore, Green registered just 68 runs at 17.00 with a pitiful strike rate at 107.93, predominantly batting at No. 5. The right-hander, fighting for a spot in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, was only given two chances at first drop, scoring 33 from 21 balls against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru.

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After failing to take a wicket in four consecutive matches, Green was replaced by English all-rounder Will Jacks ahead of Thursday evening’s contest against his former club, with captain Faf du Plessis declaring the team was looking to “bring some fresh energy into the team”.

Jacks, batting at No. 3 on his IPL debut, was dismissed by Indian quick Akash Madhwal for 8 (6) during the seven-wicket defeat in Mumbai.

Bengaluru has now trialled four different players at first drop, with Green the only member of the quartet who has managed to score more than 30. When batting at No. 3 for Mumbai, he compiled 419 runs at 52.38 in ten innings with a strike rate of 162.4.

At Wankhede Stadium, where Thursday’s match between Mumbai and Bengaluru was contested, Green boasts an impressive IPL average of 76.33 and a strike rate exceeding 170 — yet the Royal Challengers opted for him to carry the drinks.

Cameron Green in the IPL

Batting at No. 3 — 455 runs at 45.50, SR 160.21

Batting at No. 4 and lower — 59 runs at 29.50, SR 103.50

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time:Out this week, former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody, who led the Sunrisers Hyderabad towards an IPL title in 2016, questioned the Royal Challengers’ management of Green.

“There’s already been inconsistency around his role,” Moody said.

“I don’t think he knows where he belongs in that set-up.

“For a young player, regardless of how talented he is, it’s confusing and unsettling at a new franchise where you want to make an impression and show your worth, which he did at Mumbai last year, where he had a bumper season and spent most of his time at No. 3.”

The Royal Challengers, currently ninth on the IPL ladder with one victory from six encounters, will next face Pat Cummins’ Sunrisers Hyderabad at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday evening.