Hindustan Times ·
Ishan Kishan No.1, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi going to be ‘best-ever’ T20 batter: New Zealand’s Finn Allen
In an interview with HT Digital, Finn Allen, the New Zealand opener, spoke about why he rates Ishan Kishan as the world's best batter in T20s currently.
The biggest challenge of 2026 for the Indian men's cricket team promises to be their full-fledged tour of New Zealand, where they will play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests, beginning October 22. There is plenty of excitement in New Zealand ahead of the series, with tickets selling like hot cakes. Not too long ago, India and New Zealand met in the T20 World Cup final in India, where the Men in Blue beat the BlackCaps. But taking on the Kiwis in their own conditions will be a different challenge altogether. India drubbed New Zealand 5-0 on their last tour of the country, but six long years have passed since.
Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma have redefined T20 batting, with India setting the benchmark. However, New Zealand opener Finn Allen is not too far behind. In the T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa, the right-hander smashed a 33-ball century to knock the Proteas out of the competition before carrying the same form into the IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders.