Cummins finished with 0-49 from three overs, including four sixes and three fours off his bowling, as reigning champions Mumbai Indians amassed 5-195 from their 20 overs in Kolkata Knight Riders’ first game of their Indian Premier League campaign.
The Australian fast bowler was signed by KKR for 15.5 crore (US$2.2m) but offered more with the bat, plundering 33 from 12 balls including 27 off one Jasprit Bumrah over, as KKR fell short at 9-146.
However, Cummins along with English recruit Eoin Morgan (who made 16 from 20) had only been cleared from quarantine hours before the game, before their below-par displays.
“I think it’s very unfair to judge him right now,” Karthik said post-game about Cummins.
“He’s just off quarantine. At literally 3:30-4pm is when he got permission to come and play the match. We’re happy to have him.
“I don’t think this is a game where we need to judge him at all. He’s a world champion bowler.
“He’s one of the best going around in the world and I trust him completely. I’m sure he’ll come good.”
Mumbai captain Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Match after he made 80 from 54 balls, with six sixes including two off Cummins’ bowling.
He received good support from Suryakumar Yadav with 47 from 28 balls at first drop, while Hardik Pandya whacked 18 off 13 before being dismissed hit wicket by Andre Russell who bowled two overs as Karthik elected not to bowl out Cummins.
Cummins top scored for the Knight Riders with his quickfire 33, while Karthik made 30 from 23 balls in an innings which lacked momentum.
Two of last season’s strugglers Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore will meet on Thursday night in Dubai.