It's a dream come true: Finn Allen on the maiden IPL call-up

New Zealand’s Finn Allen cannot contain his excitement after receiving his maiden IPL call-up from Royal Challengers Bangalore. The wicketkeeper-batsman, on Monday, was signed by RCB as a replacement for Australia’s Josh Philippe. The latter opted out of the IPL 2021 due to personal reasons. 

In an exclusive interview with NZ Stuff Sport, Allen explained how happy he was after RCB’s Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson asked him if he was interested in joining the squad for the upcoming season of the IPL.

“He (Mike Hesson) asked if I was interested in coming, and I was like, you don’t even need to ask me that one – it’s my dream come true. It’s so exciting and pretty surreal. I couldn’t really believe it. It took a while to settle in, and now with all the media and everything, it’s kicking in how real it all is.” - Finn Allen was quoted as saying. 

The 22-year-old came into prominence when he had a breakthrough season for New Zealand colts in the 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup. He carried his fine form into the domestic cricket the following year.  He finished the 2020-21 Super Smash T20 league as the highest run-getter, aggregating 512 runs in 11 innings. His big-hitting proficiencies were on display in the recently concluded Super Smash League. The youngster clobbered as many as 25 sixes throughout the tournament. Apart from his penchant for hitting sixes at will, the Auckland-born cricketer is handy behind the stumps too. 

Come April, big things will be expected from the explosive batsman.

[NZ Stuff Sport inputs]