Finn Allen's explosive 93 powers KKR to 247/2 against GT in IPL 2026
Synopsis
Finn Allen walked off Eden Gardens having smashed 93 with 10 sixes, admitting luck played a role early — but it was clarity of mind that made the difference. Backed by Raghuvanshi's career-best 82* and Green's 52*, KKR posted 247/2, one of IPL 2026's biggest totals, putting their playoff push firmly back on track.
Key Takeaways
Finn Allen scored a blazing 93 , hitting 10 sixes and four fours , for KKR against GT at Eden Gardens on 16 May 2026 .
KKR posted 247/2 , one of the highest totals of IPL 2026 .
Angkrish Raghuvanshi struck a career-best 82 not out ; Cameron Green added 52 not out .
Allen credited compact boundaries and an improving pitch at Eden Gardens for the run-fest.
Allen backed KKR's 'serious line-up' to defend the total and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Finn Allen's blazing 93 off the top of the order handed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) a commanding 247/2 against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in their IPL 2026 clash at Eden Gardens on Saturday, 16 May. The New Zealand opener's knock, laced with 10 sixes and four fours, set an imposing platform that his teammates built on emphatically.
Allen's Innings: Fortune and Clarity Combined
Allen was candid about his knock at the innings break, acknowledging that a slice of luck came early. 'Sometimes you get a little bit lucky. I just tried to continue as long as I could,' he told broadcasters. He credited the conditions at Eden Gardens — compact boundaries and a pitch that eased as the innings progressed — for enabling the assault.
The opener admitted the start was far from straightforward. 'It was quite challenging with the new ball. Again, two quality bowlers. So, as I said, I just tried to push through that and get to the middle phase,' he said. His approach was deliberate: stay clear-headed, avoid overthinking, and capitalise once the surface settled.
Raghuvanshi and Green Seal a Mammoth Total
After Allen's departure, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green ensured KKR did not take their foot off the pedal. Raghuvanshi finished unbeaten on a career-best 82, while Green chipped in with 52 not out, the pair closing the innings in style and leaving GT staring at a daunting chase.
Allen was effusive in his praise for the young Raghuvanshi. 'He's a proper player. The way he gets up and starts his innings, the batsmanship that he shows at such a young age, he's a quality player,' the opener said.
No Target in Mind, Just Runs on the Board
Allen revealed he does not fixate on a team total while at the crease. 'No, I think personally, I just try and worry about that towards the back end of the innings if I'm there. But for the time that I was out there, I just wanted to put as many as I could,' he explained. The philosophy — process over scoreboard — is a hallmark of KKR's aggressive batting culture this season.
KKR's Playoff Ambitions Remain Intact
With a total of 247/2 on the board, Allen expressed full confidence in his side's ability to defend it and stay alive in the race to the playoffs. 'I think I'll definitely back our boys. We've got a serious line-up, and I back our boys,' he said. This is the kind of performance KKR will need to sustain as the business end of IPL 2026 approaches.
Point of View
Which is precisely what top-order batting in T20 knockout conditions demands. More significant, perhaps, is Raghuvanshi's career-best 82*: a teenager delivering in a high-pressure IPL chase-setter is a signal KKR's batting depth is no longer reliant on foreign imports alone. If GT cannot chase this down, it could effectively end their playoff campaign — and KKR's points tally will look very different heading into the final stretch.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What score did KKR post against GT in IPL 2026 at Eden Gardens?
Kolkata Knight Riders posted 247/2 against Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens on 16 May 2026. It is one of the highest totals of the IPL 2026 season.
How many sixes did Finn Allen hit in his innings?
Finn Allen hit 10 sixes and four fours in his knock of 93 for KKR against GT. He credited the compact boundaries at Eden Gardens and an improving pitch for the big hitting.
What was Angkrish Raghuvanshi's score in the KKR vs GT IPL 2026 match?
Angkrish Raghuvanshi scored a career-best 82 not out, finishing the innings unbeaten alongside Cameron Green, who made 52 not out.
What did Finn Allen say about his innings after the match?
Allen admitted he got 'a little bit lucky' early on but said he focused on clarity of thought and pushing through the challenging new-ball phase. He added that the pitch improved as the innings went on, which helped KKR accelerate.
How does this result affect KKR's IPL 2026 playoff chances?
A total of 247/2 significantly boosts KKR's net run rate and keeps their playoff push alive. Allen expressed confidence in his side's 'serious line-up' to defend the score.
