Hyderabad: Kolkata Knight Riders opener Finn Allen said he has started enjoying cricket again after overcoming a difficult phase in IPL 2026. The New Zealand batter played a stunning knock against Gujarat Titans and helped KKR stay alive in the playoff race.
Allen smashed 93 runs from just 35 balls in Kolkata on Saturday. His explosive innings included four boundaries and 10 sixes. Riding on his attack, KKR posted a massive total of 247 runs.
Gujarat Titans finished at 218 for four in their chase, handing Kolkata a crucial 29 run victory.
The win kept KKR’s playoff hopes alive in the tightly contested IPL points table. Kolkata currently sits seventh with 11 points and still has two league matches remaining.
Allen had a disappointing start to the season. He managed only 81 runs in his first five matches and was later dropped from the playing eleven for three games. However, his return transformed his campaign. Earlier this month, he also scored an unbeaten century from 47 balls.
Finn Allen Says Break Helped Him Regain Confidence
Speaking after the match, Allen admitted that he had placed too much pressure on himself during the early part of the tournament.
He said he stopped enjoying batting because of expectations he created for himself. According to Allen, the short break from the team helped him reset mentally and regain confidence.
The KKR opener said he focused on staying relaxed and watching the ball carefully instead of worrying about performances. He added that enjoying the game again made him a better cricketer.
Allen also said pressure in professional cricket often comes from within and players should remember how fortunate they are to play the sport at the highest level.
His aggressive form now comes as a major boost for Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the final phase of the IPL 2026 league stage.
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates and Follow us on GoogleNews
