Finn Allen has shared how he plans to face India’s star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The title clash will take place on Sunday, March 8, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Bumrah has been one of India’s best bowlers in the tournament. The right-arm pacer has taken 10 wickets in seven innings. He has an impressive average of 15.90. His economy rate of 6.62 also shows how difficult it has been for batters to score against him.
The Indian fast bowler played an important role in the semifinal against England cricket team at the Wankhede Stadium. India successfully defended a huge total of 254 runs and won the match by seven runs. England’s Jacob Bethell scored a brilliant century, but Bumrah’s bowling made the difference. He conceded only 14 runs in his final two overs and finished with figures of 1 for 33.
Finn Allen prefers relaxed preparation before the big final
Allen said he does not like to overanalyse bowlers before a match. Instead, he prefers to keep his preparation simple and relaxed. The New Zealand opener said he had a casual discussion with batting coach Luke Ronchi and teammate Tim Seifert about India’s bowling attack.
“We just had our very relaxed scouting meeting just before we got into Ronc’s (Luke Ronchi) room and had a chat. Me and Timmy (Seifert) make a coffee, go in, and it’s all very relaxed. We just have a conversation about what they do. I don’t watch any footage unless I haven’t seen a guy before, but you see Bumrah everywhere,” he told Sky Sports.
Allen also said he prefers to focus on the ball rather than the bowler.
“To be honest, keep it relaxed. I’m a big fan of playing the ball, not the man. I think if you get too focused on Jasprit Bumrah running into you, you get caught up in the occasion. “There will be 130,000 Indian fans supporting them, so you’ve just got to play the ball,” he added.
Allen enters the final in brilliant form. The New Zealand opener smashed a 33-ball century against South Africa national cricket team in the first semifinal. It was the fastest hundred in the tournament’s history. He also holds the record for the most sixes in a single T20 World Cup with 20 maximums. Allen has scored 289 runs in the tournament at an average of 57.80 and a strike rate of 203.52.
ALSO READ Quinton de Kock and David Miller criticise ICC over bias after ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 exit
