Allen says shedding self-imposed pressure key to IPL resurgence with Kolkata
· CNA · JoinRead a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
May 17 : Finn Allen said shedding self-imposed pressure and rediscovering his enjoyment of batting has helped revive his form after he fired Kolkata Knight Riders to a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League on Saturday, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Allen smashed 93 off 35 balls - including four fours and 10 sixes - as Kolkata posted a mammoth target of 248 for the opposition. Gujarat only mustered 218-4 in 20 overs in reply.
The New Zealand batter had managed just 81 runs in his first five matches and was dropped for three games, before returning to score an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls in his second innings back earlier this month.
“To be honest, at the start of the tournament, I was putting far too much pressure on myself to perform and I was probably a shell of a human for a bit there and it was all self-inflicted," Allen told reporters in Kolkata.
CNA Games
Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time
Buzzword
Create words using the given letters
Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser
Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge
Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less
"I love playing cricket, I love batting and I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I should have at the time because I was putting too much pressure on myself.
"So having those few games off, really did me a good thing."
Allen said a simpler approach and renewed focus on enjoying his cricket had been key to his resurgence in the unpredictable 20-overs format.
“I think what I really worked on was if I am relaxed and I am enjoying myself and I watch the ball harder, I am in a better position and I am a better cricketer for it," Allen said.
"So I think the main thing was to keep enjoying what I was doing, keep learning and pressure is something that I put on myself. We are very blessed to be doing what we do so the pressure was all me."
Kolkata, seventh with 11 points, remain in a tight race for the top four with two games in hand. They next face already-eliminated Mumbai Indians on Wednesday.
Newsletter
Recommended Read
Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read
A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app