Finn Allen's 47-ball century powers KKR past DC; Green hails 'exceptional' New Zealand opener
Synopsis
Finn Allen's 47-ball century wasn't just about the numbers — it was a statement of intent from a batter who had been benched weeks earlier. With KKR now on four straight wins after starting winless, Allen's resurgence and Green's steady hand have transformed a struggling middle order into a chase-down machine. The real test: whether this form holds against stronger attacks in the latter stages.
Key Takeaways
Finn Allen scored an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls , hitting 5 fours and 10 sixes at a strike rate of 212.77 .
KKR chased down 143 in 14.2 overs for an eight-wicket win over DC at the Arun Jaitley Stadium .
Cameron Green contributed an unbeaten 33 off 27 balls in an unbroken 116-run partnership with Allen.
Allen was particularly dominant against spin, posting a strike rate of 235 off 31 balls .
KKR registered their fourth successive win of IPL 2026, rebounding from a winless start.
Finn Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls to steer Kolkata Knight Riders to an eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday evening, with Cameron Green lavishing praise on the New Zealand opener for his destructive batting and ability to put bowlers under sustained pressure.
Allen's explosive turnaround
The opener's century came after a lean run earlier in IPL 2026, where three single-digit scores had pushed him out of the playing XI. Recalled after Tim Seifert failed to deliver consistent returns, Allen made 29 in KKR's win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 3 before unleashing his fireworks. Against DC's modest target of 143, Allen scored 20 off his first 17 balls before launching an explosive 80-run burst across his next 30 deliveries.
Dominant against spin
Allen struck 5 fours and 10 sixes at a blistering strike rate of 212.77, proving particularly lethal against spinners with a strike rate of 235 off 31 balls against them. For the first time in his IPL career, he negotiated the powerplay period and anchored KKR's chase, with the final six coming when his team needed just two runs to win and he required six for his maiden IPL century. KKR completed the chase in just 14.2 overs.
Green's assessment
Cameron Green, who contributed an unbeaten 33 off 27 balls in an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 116 with Allen, was effusive in his praise during the post-match press conference.
Point of View
He returns to find a favourable match situation and bowlers off their lines — yet he still had to convert that opportunity into a century, which he did with clinical aggression. What's notable is how KKR's middle order has stabilized: Rahane, Powell, and Green now provide a layered chase template. If Allen can replicate this form against better bowling attacks in the knockouts, KKR's early-season struggles will fade into irrelevance.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Finn Allen score against Delhi Capitals?
Finn Allen scored an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls , hitting 5 fours and 10 sixes at a strike rate of 212.77 . It was his maiden century in the IPL.
How did KKR chase down the target?
KKR chased down 143 in just 14.2 overs , winning by eight wickets . Finn Allen and Cameron Green added an unbroken 116-run partnership for the third wicket.
What did Cameron Green say about Finn Allen's batting?
Green called Allen "exceptional" and described him as "one of the best in the world" at putting pressure back on bowlers. He praised Allen's ability to accelerate once he reaches 30-40 runs and noted that Allen never tries to rein back his aggressive approach.
Why was Finn Allen benched earlier in IPL 2026?
Allen was dropped after three single-digit scores early in the tournament. Tim Seifert was brought in as the opening partner, but when Seifert failed to meet expectations, Allen was recalled and made 29 in a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad before his century against DC .
What is KKR's current record in IPL 2026?
KKR has registered four straight wins after a difficult start where they lost their first six games. The victory over DC marks their turnaround in the tournament.
