Kolkata Knight Riders got off to a breathtaking start in their massive run chase of 226 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, with Finn Allen unleashing absolute carnage in the very
first over of the innings.
Chasing a daunting target, KKR needed intent right from ball one—and Allen delivered just that. Facing David Payne in the opening over, the explosive New Zealand batter took charge immediately, dismantling the bowling with a stunning display of power-hitting. The over read 1, 4, 4, 6, 6, 4 25 runs in total setting the tone for what could be a historic chase.
Allen was particularly brutal, smashing 24 runs off just five deliveries, leaving Ajinkya Rahane at the non-striker’s end as a mere spectator. From crisp cuts through the off-side to monstrous sixes over mid-wicket and straight down the ground, Allen showcased his full range of strokeplay. His ability to pick length early and commit fully to his shots put immense pressure on the bowler right away.
KKR SMASHED 25 RUNS IN AN OVER. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/NyNcR8RuzQ
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 2, 2026
The Eden Gardens crowd was electrified as boundaries kept flowing, and suddenly, what looked like a steep chase began to feel achievable. KKR raced to 30/0 in just 1.2 overs, maintaining a staggering run rate and sending a strong message to SRH.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, this was far from the ideal start while defending a big total. David Payne, who was entrusted with the new ball, had a nightmare of an over, conceding 25 runs and allowing KKR to seize early momentum.
In high-scoring chases like these, the powerplay often dictates the direction of the game, and KKR have made their intentions crystal clear. With Finn Allen in this kind of form, SRH’s bowlers will need something special to pull things back.
All eyes now remain on whether Allen can continue this onslaught and take KKR closer to what would be a remarkable chase at Eden Gardens.
