Finn Allen says he looks up to Suryakumar Yadav

Finn Allen had no idea he was playing in the first Super-12 match of the T20 World Cup two days before he hammered a 16-ball 42 to set the tone for New Zealand’s smashing triumph against Australia. However, by the end of the match, Allen was making headlines all around the world. His performance had such an impact that it eclipsed his opening partner Devon Conway’s 92 off 58 balls.

As the younger players take control, New Zealand has shown faith in Allen, and he is likely to be retained despite the occasional setback, such as the one against India at Mount Maunganui, where he was out on the second ball of the innings. Regardless, Allen is clear about how he wants to bat for the BlackCaps: aggressively. But that aggression was not to be seen even in the third T20I as Arsdeep got him out cheaply.

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‘I have admired Kevin Pietersen’-Finn Allen

“I guess the role, where it came from was, I have always idolised Kevin Pietersen growing up and watching him play his brand of cricket. Sort of wanting to take the game on and be really positive came a bit from him. The opportunity to do that coming into the Wellington team a couple of years ago and getting the opportunity in the T20 side,” Allen told Hindustan Times in an exclusive chat. When asked about his favourite players currently he named Virat and Surya. Allen has been with RCB for the last two seasons so he has seen Kohli from close quarters.

“In terms of guys that I admire, obviously the way Virat has gone about. He had a little bit of a tough time of late, and then to come out the way he has in the last few months and persevered through those challenges is very admirable. Just seeing him overcome that and finish the World Cup as the top run scorer for his country. I really love watching Surya (Kumar Yadav) play. He is the No. 1 batter in the world at the moment and for good measure, I think. He is incredible. Some of the shots he plays are out of this world and he is someone I would strive to be like for sure,” added Allen.