Finch fails on KKR debut as IPL ladder tightens

Australia's T20 skipper Aaron Finch scored just seven on debut for the Kolkata Knight Riders as the Sunrisers Hyderbad recorded their third win of the season to add to a six-team logjam on the IPL ladder.

Playing for his ninth IPL franchise, Finch struck one six but was dismissed for seven off five balls as the Knight Riders made a sluggish start in Mumbai, falling to 3-31 inside the Powerplay.

An innings of 54 from Nitesh Rana and a brisk 49 not out from 25 balls, including four sixes, from West Indian Andre Russell powered KKR to 8-175 from their 20 overs.

But the Sunrisers reeled in the total with ease thanks to half centuries from Rahul Tripathi (71 from 37 balls) and South African Aiden Markram (68no from 36).

Australian Pat Cummins struck in his first over but copped some punishment from Markram late in the match to finish with figures of 1-40 from 3.5 overs.

The Sunrisers won by seven wickets with 13 balls to spare and are now one of six teams on six points more than a third of the way through the season.

Finch was given a surprise late opportunity to play for a record ninth IPL team after being snapped up as a late replacement for England's Alex Hales, who cited 'bubble fatigue' as a reason for withdrawing from the T20 tournament.

It opened up a fresh opportunity - and another pay day of $268,000 - for the 35-year-old opener, who went unsold in February's auction.

After starting out with Rajasthan Royals in 2010, Finch has since represented Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab and, most recently in 2020, Royal Challengers Bangalore.

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