A Kiwi on a hot streak delivered a decisive burst of power as Kolkata Knight Riders overwhelmed Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens. Finn Allen produced a blistering 93 off just 35 balls, tearing through a Titans bowling attack that looked helpless as the innings unfolded, with KKR posting a six-hitting display that swung the match firmly in their favour.
Allen’s fireworks came in an innings packed with ten maximums. He effectively matched the total of sixes he struck during his century in Delhi last week, but this time he did it in far fewer deliveries. The knock also placed him among a rare set of IPL batters, becoming the first right-handed player and the fourth overall to record multiple innings featuring at least ten sixes.
The list of batters to have produced more than one 10+ sixes innings in the IPL now includes Chris Gayle, who achieved the feat four times during his glittering career, alongside current-era hitters Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma. Along with them, Allen joins the group with his own multiple 10-plus maximums performances.
Players with multiple innings of 10+ sixes
- Chris Gayle – 4 (17 vs PWI, 13 vs DD, 12 vs KXIP, 11 vs SRH)
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – 2 (12 vs SRH, 11 vs GT)
- Abhishek Sharma – 2 (10 vs PBKS, 10 vs DC)
- Finn Allen – 2 (10 vs DC, 10 vs GT)
Allen’s assault began with intent. He targeted Kagiso Rabada immediately in the South African pacer’s first over, sending out an early message before the innings truly accelerated. From there, he kept finding the boundary with ease, including a standout sequence that saw him take down Rashid Khan in a spell of aggressive hitting.
KKR’s power game was not dependent on Allen alone. Cameron Green and Angkrish Raghuvanshi added another 11 sixes between them as the innings progressed, pushing the hosts to a total that was heavy with momentum. Ajinkya Rahane also struck a maximum earlier in the chase of big totals, before an early dismissal disrupted his rhythm on a pitch that looked set up for strokeplay.
KKR finished with 22 sixes in the innings, underlining how thoroughly they dominated the Titans’ bowling. The number fell just short of the IPL benchmark for most sixes in a single innings, a record established at the same ground in 2024 by Punjab Kings. Only once has any team surpassed the 22-mark, while SRH managed to hit 22 maximums twice in 2024.
With the top four batters driving the charge, Kolkata posted 247/2 against Gujarat Titans. The result gives the hosts a major boost as they keep their survival hopes alive in the race for the playoffs.
Gujarat’s reply did not stay smooth for long. Their chase started positively, but it was jolted when Sai Sudharsan was struck on the elbow and forced to leave the field on a retired-hurt decision. With KKR looking to defend their total, the Titans now face a tougher path as they try to keep their own top-four ambitions on track.
