Finn Allen records fastest hundred in T20 WC history:5 Kiwis who could challenge India in Ahmedabad showdown

India and New Zealand will face each other in the T20 World Cup final today. Some New Zealand players could pose a big challenge to the Indian team that has looked strong throughout the tournament. India had lost to South Africa, while USA and West Indies also gave them tough competition. Kiwi opener Finn Allen has scored the fastest century in the tournament, while Rachin Ravindra has performed brilliantly as an all-rounder with 128 runs and 11 wickets. Additionally, Tim Seifert is also in great form with 3 half-centuries. Here are 5 New Zealand players who could make things difficult for India… 1. Finn Allen – Scored a century in the semifinal Finn Allen has been New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in the tournament, amassing 289 runs in seven innings, including a century and a half-century. The explosive opener has maintained a remarkable strike rate of over 200, smashing 24 fours and 20 sixes during the World Cup. His most sensational performance came in the semifinal against South Africa, where he blasted the fastest century in T20 World Cup history—an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls, featuring 10 fours and 8 sixes. Earlier in the group stage, Allen also scored an unbeaten 84 against the UAE, guiding New Zealand to a dominant 10-wicket win. Notably, whenever Allen has crossed the fifty-run mark in the tournament, New Zealand have secured convincing victories by nine or ten wickets. Overall, he is only the second New Zealand batter after Colin Munro to score three centuries in T20 Internationals, and he currently has 1,654 runs and seven half-centuries in the format. 2. Rachin Ravindra – Won against Sri Lanka by taking 4 wickets Rachin Ravindra has been one of New Zealand’s standout all-rounders in the ongoing World Cup. He has scored 128 runs in six innings, including a half-century, while making a bigger impact with the ball by taking 11 wickets in eight matches—the most by any New Zealand bowler in the tournament. His best performance came against Sri Lanka, where he picked up 4/27 and scored 32 runs, earning the Player of the Match award in a crucial 61-run victory. His spin in the middle overs could be a key threat to India. Ravindra also claimed two wickets in the semifinal and earlier grabbed three against England. Overall, the 26-year-old has played 51 T20Is for New Zealand, scoring 758 runs and taking 25 wickets. He also won the Emerging Cricketer of the Year award after scoring 578 runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup. 3. Mitchell Santner – Most economic bowler New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner is one of the most experienced members of the squad and was appointed the limited-overs (ODI and T20I) skipper in December 2024. In the ongoing tournament, he has scored 77 runs in seven matches and has stepped up as a finisher when required. His crucial knock came against Sri Lanka, where he scored 47 off 26 balls and shared an 84-run partnership with Cole McConchie after the team was struggling at 84/6. Santner has also been impressive with the ball, maintaining an excellent economy rate of 6.33 in 24 overs across six innings while taking two wickets. His leadership has also stood out, including a tactical move in the semifinal against South Africa when he introduced Cole McConchie in the powerplay, resulting in the wickets of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton in the same over. Overall, Santner has played 134 T20Is, scoring over 1000 runs and taking 137 wickets, becoming the first New Zealand player to achieve the double of 1000+ runs and 100+ wickets in T20 internationals. 4. Matt Henry – Team’s Most Successful Fast Bowler Matt Henry has been New Zealand’s leading fast bowler in the ongoing World Cup, taking nine wickets in eight matches. He has consistently provided early breakthroughs with the new ball, including a memorable moment against Sri Lanka when he dismissed in-form opener Pathum Nissanka on the very first delivery. Known for his swing and precise line and length, Henry can pose a serious threat to India’s top order. He has maintained a solid economy rate of 7.59 and picked up two wickets each against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the UAE. Overall, Henry has taken 52 wickets in 42 T20 Internationals, including a notable 5/42 against India in last year’s Champions Trophy league match. 5. Tim Seifert – 274 runs in tournament, 3 fifties Tim Seifert has been one of New Zealand’s standout performers in the tournament, emerging as their second-highest run-scorer. The wicketkeeper-batter has accumulated 274 runs in seven innings, smashing three half-centuries while maintaining an impressive strike rate of over 161. In the semifinal against South Africa, Seifert provided a blazing start, scoring 58 and sharing a 117-run opening partnership with Finn Allen. Seifert has also registered fifties against UAE and Afghanistan, with his best score being an unbeaten 89. In 2025, he matched Andre Russell’s record for the fastest century in the Caribbean Premier League, reaching the milestone in just 40 balls for St Lucia Kings. Overall, he is New Zealand’s fourth-highest run-scorer in T20Is with 2,227 runs in 89 matches, including 16 fifties. Along with Seifert, India will also need to keep a close eye on Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell.