KOLKATA: New Zealand batter Finn Allen played a breathtaking knock of 93 runs off just 35 balls, propelling Kolkata Knight Riders to a crucial 29-run victory over Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens on Saturday. This win kept KKR alive in the Indian Premier League, moving them up one spot to seventh place with 11 points from 12 matches. GT, who suffered their first defeat after five consecutive wins, now have to wait for their playoff berth with one game remaining.
Allen's Explosive Innings
Allen's innings brought back memories of his blistering fastest century in T20 World Cup history, which he scored off 33 balls against South Africa at the same venue in March. Although he fell short of his second century of the season, his knock helped KKR post 247 for two, their highest total in this IPL, after being asked to bat first by GT captain Shubman Gill.
KKR made GT pay for sloppy fielding after losing skipper Ajinkya Rahane (14), who became Mohammed Siraj's 200th T20 wicket. Allen himself had a reprieve on 14 when Jason Holder dropped a tough chance at cover. He was given another life on 33 when Siraj dropped a sitter at long-on off Holder.
Unperturbed, Allen continued his aggressive approach. He welcomed Rashid Khan with consecutive sixes and a four to reach his fifty off 21 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes. He added two more sixes off Holder's next over to help KKR reach 100 in nine overs.
Key Partnerships
The 95-run second-wicket stand between Allen and Angkrish Raghuvanshi ended when Allen played a lofted shot off Sai Kishore, caught by Rashid at mid-wicket boundary. The opener hit four boundaries and 10 sixes in his innings. Cameron Green also got a life when Arshad dropped him on 33 off Rashid. Green went on to score a fifty off 26 deliveries.
Raghuvanshi, dropped by Washington Sundar on 52, remained unbeaten on 82 off 44 balls, providing solid support.
GT's Chase Falls Short
Chasing 248, GT's in-form openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill raced to 42 off the first three overs. However, their stand ended painfully when Sudharsan retired hurt after suffering a blow to the elbow from pacer Kartik Tyagi.
Gill played another classic knock, finding boundaries without taking too many risks before falling to KKR's most successful bowler, Sunil Narine, for 85 off 49 balls. Jos Buttler provided able support but could not take the side home, as GT finished at 218 for four. Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, playing his first match for KKR as an impact player, bowled only eight deliveries before walking off with a calf injury.
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