Finch fails, Cummins still out as KKR break drought

Kolkata Knight Riders have won their first match in six Indian Premier League outings, though neither of their Australian stars were able to contribute much to ending that barren run.

Aaron Finch was dismissed for his third single-figure score in four innings while Pat Cummins was not selected.

KKR restricted Rajasthan Royals to 5-152 with only Sanju Sansom (54 off 49 balls) breaking the stranglehold exerted by Sunil Narine (0-19 off four overs), Anukul Roy (1-28 off four) and Umesh Yadav (1-24 off four).

Kolkata began badly. Finch, off balance attempting a back foot swipe, inside-edged onto his stumps for a seven-ball four.

Australia's white-ball skipper, playing for a record ninth IPL franchise after earning a late call-up by Kolkata coach Brendon McCullum, has scores of 7, 58, 3 and 4 this season.

Prior to the match he had admitted: "My game has been a hit and a miss so far. I am focusing on trying to hit straight and stay on a bit longer.

"T20 is a brutal game for batters and bowlers and you have to be honest with yourself to be successful."

Test captain Cummins had been the matchwinner in KKR's previous win a month ago, but with the bat, hitting an astonishing 56 not out off 15 balls. 

With the ball, in his four matches, the fast bowler has taken 4-190 at an economy rate of 12-an-over.  

Tim Southee, Cummins' main rival for a place, was expensive in conceding 46 from his four overs by the Royals, but snared the key wicket of Jos Buttler and a valuable one in Riyan Parag.

After Finch's exit, KKR lost Baba Indrajith to reduce them to 2-32 but skipper Shreyas Iyer (34 from 32 balls) settled the innings. When he departed Nitish Rana (48 not out from 37) and Rinku Singh (42 not out off 23) took then home.

Rana ended the match with a six as KKR finished on 3-158, winning with seven wickets and five balls to spare.

The 2022 Indian Premier League will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Sports and live streamed on Kayo

Australians in IPL 2022

Delhi Capitals: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner

Gujarat Titans: Matthew Wade

Kolkata Knight Riders: Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch

Lucknow Super Giants: Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

Mumbai Indians: Tim David, Daniel Sams, Riley Meredith

Punjab Kings: Nathan Ellis

Rajasthan Royals: Nathan Coulter-Nile

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Jason Behrendorff

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Sean Abbott