“How did they drop a player with such an ability?” – L Balaji questions KKR management ahead of KKR vs MI

Finn Allen has been in stunning form this year in the shortest format. He played brilliantly during the T20 World Cup. However, while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the Kiwi batter scored just 81 runs in his first five innings, averaging 16.20. He lost his place in the side to compatriot Tim Seifert.

Seifert failed to make an impact and was dropped after a few games as Allen returned to the side. Since his comeback, the 27-year-old has been in staggering form, amassing 240 runs in four innings.

Former KKR speedster Lakshmipathy Balaji opined that the KKR management made a mistake by dropping Allen after his initial failures.

“I was surprised KKR did not play him in a few matches in the middle. He was an intimidating performer in the top order in the T20 World Cup. How did they drop a player with such an ability? But he has returned at the right time, and once he settles in, he’s unstoppable. He has a rare shot-making ability for Indian conditions,” Balaji said on Star Sports.

The Knights are set to face the Mumbai Indians in a do-or-die clash at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, May 20. Balaji suggested that the Mumbai bowlers should bowl full to Allen and have two fielders on the leg-side, challenging the in-form batter to hit towards the off-side.

“You’ve to bowl fuller as guys like him are hands-players. He thrives on length and bounce. Even his mistimed hits go for six. So you’ve to go wide of the crease and reduce the bounce. You can err fuller but not short to him because of his hand speed. Have two fielders on the leg side and challenge him to hit on the off side,” he stated.

“KKR have trusted a youngster at the position and it’s paid them rewards” – L Balaji on Angkrish Raghuvanshi

Balaji was effusive in his praise for Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who has made the No. 3 slot his own in the KKR side and notched up five half-centuries, including the one against the Gujarat Titans in the last game.

“Many would have thought Cameron Green would bat at No.3. But KKR have trusted a youngster at the position, and it’s paid them rewards. He has accepted the role beautifully and stabilized their lineup. Even in the last game, he never decelerated. Wherever Finn Allen left the tempo, Raghuvanshi ensured to accelerate things,” said Balaji (via the aforementioned source),” Balaji said.

“Raghuvanshi showed talent last season itself but that talent has matured now in this season. They’ve also given him a more prominent role. He is wicket-keeping and batting at the top of the order,” he concluded.