Finn Allen’s Explosive Knock Keeps KKR Playoff Hopes Alive

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Finn Allen smashed 93 off 35 balls for KKR.
Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Gujarat Titans by 29 runs.
KKR kept their IPL playoff hopes alive with the victory.

Kolkata: Finn Allen delivered one of the most destructive innings of IPL 2026 as Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Gujarat Titans by 29 runs at Eden Gardens to stay alive in the playoff race.

The New Zealand batter hammered 93 runs from just 35 deliveries, tearing apart Gujarat’s pace attack with a fearless display of power-hitting that shifted momentum entirely in KKR’s favour.

After the match, Allen said the Eden Gardens pitch rewards batters who survive the early movement and bounce.

Finn Allen KKR Innings Turns Match Into Run Fest

Allen’s innings included:

4 boundaries
10 sixes
Strike rate above 265

He shared a rapid 95-run partnership with Angkrish Raghuvanshi after KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane departed early.

Allen later said the surface was initially tricky due to the quality of Gujarat’s new-ball attack led by Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada.

He explained that his approach was simple:

Attack scoring deliveries
Rotate strike when necessary
Avoid unnecessary risks early on

The second-order effect of Allen’s form could significantly reshape KKR’s season because his aggressive starts are now reducing pressure on the middle order and allowing the team to sustain high scoring rates consistently.

Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green Extend KKR Domination

After Allen’s dismissal, Angkrish Raghuvanshi accelerated brilliantly and remained unbeaten on 82 from 44 balls.

He added another massive 108-run partnership with Cameron Green, who scored an unbeaten 52 off 28 balls.

KKR eventually posted a massive 247/2 in 20 overs.

Top KKR batting performances:

Finn Allen, 93 (35)
Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 82* (44)
Cameron Green, 52* (28)

Despite the massive total, Gujarat Titans mounted a strong chase.

Gujarat Titans Fight Back but Fall Short

Shubman Gill played a captain’s knock with 85 off 49 balls, while Jos Buttler added 57 from 35 deliveries.

The duo stitched together a 128-run partnership that briefly revived Gujarat’s hopes.

However, once both batters were dismissed, the required run rate spiralled beyond control.

Sunil Narine delivered the key breakthrough spell, finishing with 2/29 and earning the Player of the Match award.

GT eventually ended at 218/4.

IPL Points Table Impact

Despite the loss, Gujarat Titans remain second on the table with:

16 points
8 wins
5 losses

KKR moved to seventh place with:

11 points
5 wins
6 losses
1 no result

The victory keeps Kolkata mathematically alive in the playoff race, while also increasing pressure on teams fighting for the final qualification spots.

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