Eventually, Sunrisers were dismissed for 159, a target KKR chased down inside 14 overs, thanks to unbeaten half centuries to Venkatesh Iyer and captain Shreyas Iyer.

For Head, his second consecutive duck when defeated by movement with the new ball provided a reminder that his ultra aggression will sometimes come with down days. Australia’s planners will hope that Head can take his prolific IPL scoring (he is the tournament’s third-highest runs corer with 533 off half as many balls) into the World Cup next month alongside Starc’s incisive opening spells.

“I might keep that one in the back pocket for when he starts to give me some niggle and I have to pull it out on him,” Starc joked. “He’s been phenomenal through the tournament. But we knew he was going to be a big wicket.

“Obviously, Abhishek [Sharma] for them at the top as well. That partnership has been key for them, so to get both of them pretty cheap was great and we got set on our way today.”

KKR’s eight-wicket victory means they are the first team into the IPL final. Cummins, Head and SRH will now wait to see which of Rajasthan Royals or Royal Challengers Bangalore will win the right to face them for the other spot in an elimination final on Thursday morning.

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“I guess we have earned the right to have one of those days and still win tournaments,” Cummins said. “Not our day, but good thing we have another crack at it.

“A bit off the pace. I think you have those days in T20 cricket. Even when you are a very good side, you have some days where it doesn’t quite work out.

“A few guys didn’t get off to starts, so we were probably short of where we wanted to be with the bat. And then yeah, couldn’t get it done with the ball. Kolkata bowled really well. That wicket got better, but there was a little bit in it early.”