The ongoing fifth T20I between India and New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram has turned into an absolute run-fest with New Zealand starting off in similar fashion to India's massive total of 271. Finn Allen, in his first game of the series, belted a 38-ball 80 to give the visitors a record-breaking start in the PowerPlay.
Allen's assault in the first six overs saw New Zealand race away to 79/1 in the PowerPlay. It is the highest score posted in the first six overs of a T20I against India. Allen was severe on anyone who bowled at him, be it Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy or even Jasprit Bumrah as sixes were smashed for fun.
Such was Allen's levels of domination that he got to fifty off just 22 deliveries, thereby smashing the record for the fastest fifty by a New Zealand batter against India in this format. He also joined a select group of batters to have scored a T20I fifty inside the powerplay itself. Only three other batters have achieved this feat before.
Bangladesh's Litton Das, Australia's Cameron Green and West Indies' Johnson Charles were the only batters prior to Allen to have gotten a fifty inside the first six overs of a T20I against India. It is unusual to see Chakaravarthy leaking boundaries but here, Allen was depositing the mystery spinner to the stands for fun.
New Zealand raced away to 100 in just eight overs, notching up three records in the process. It was the second fastest team 100 against India in T20Is and the fastest for New Zealand in this format. It was also the fastest team 100 in T20Is in an Indian venue.
