Kolkata Knight Riders opener Finn Allen credited smart shot selection and adapting quickly to the conditions at Eden Gardens after his explosive innings guided KKR to a crucial 29-run victory over the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. The New Zealand batter continued his sensational form with a blistering 93 off just 35 deliveries, hammering four boundaries and 10 towering sixes against one of the tournament’s strongest bowling attacks.
Allen’s fearless knock gave KKR complete control of the match and set the platform for a massive first-innings total of 247/2. Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green later added important runs to help Kolkata finish strongly. Speaking after the game, Allen admitted that batting at Eden Gardens has not been as straightforward as many expected this season, especially during the opening overs against the new ball.
“The wickets probably haven’t been as flat as I thought initially, but they reward good cricket,” Finn Allen said. “If you get yourself into strong positions early and manage the seam movement and bounce, you can really cash in later. It’s a fantastic ground to play at, the crowd is incredible, and I’m enjoying every bit of it.”
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Allen has emerged as one of KKR’s most impactful batters in IPL 2026. The aggressive opener has scored 321 runs in nine matches at an average above 40 and an outstanding strike rate of over 220, making him one of the most dangerous powerplay batters this season.
Reflecting on his approach against experienced Gujarat pacers Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, Allen revealed that patience early in the innings was key to his success. “My plan was simple — attack the balls that were there to hit and avoid unnecessary risks. If the ball wasn’t there, I focused on rotating strike,” he explained.
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Allen also revealed he has been working hard on improving his batting positions and balance to become more consistent in T20 cricket. “I’m trying to get into stronger positions at the crease so I can handle swing and movement better. The simpler I keep things, the better I perform,” Allen added.
