Nayar reveals why Allen could match Abhishek's record-breaking 30-ball ton

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Team India is set to lock horns with New Zealand in the five-match T20I series. The first T20I match is scheduled to be played on October 22 at the Hagley Park South in the central city of Christchurch.

Ahead of the series, former cricketer Abhishek Nayar feels that it is possible for Finn Allen to match Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking 30-ball century.

Abhishek holds the record for the fastest T20I century by a player from a Test-playing nation. He achieved the feat against Afghanistan. Allen’s 33-ball century against South Africa was the fastest ton across ICC T20 and 50-over World Cups.

The former cricketer then explained that in New Zealand’s conditions, Allen can turn out to be a dangerous player. He also said that the pitches, bounce and dimensions of the ground in New Zealand suit his game.

“In their conditions, Finn Allen is a very lethal and dangerous player because the boundaries are small. The ground dimensions, pitches and bounce in New Zealand suit his game. He is the kind of player who, if he gets going, makes it very difficult for the opposition to stop the runs because he hits sixes, not boundaries,” said Nayar.

“And when the ground dimensions are small, that kind of player can often score those quick hundreds, which he has done in the past. So, I have a feeling that it is possible. I am not saying it will happen, but it is possible,” he added.

The second T20I match will be played on October 24 at the same venue. The third T20I match is scheduled to be played on October 27 at the Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, followed by the fourth game on October 30 at the Eden Park in Auckland. The Seddon Park in Hamilton will host the fifth clash on November 1.

IND vs NZ T20Is: Full squads

India: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips, Zak Foulkes, Michael Bracewell, Adam Milne, Mitchell Santner (C), Bevon Jacobs, Jacob Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway, Nathan Smith, Lockie Ferguson.

(With ANI Inputs)

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