Finn Allen Survives Dube Drop but Exits Early in T20 World Cup Final

Sunday at 9: 33 p. m. ET: Finn Allen survived an early dropped catch by Shivam Dube on the fifth ball of the first over but was later dismissed for 9 by Axar Patel in the third over, a sequence that handed New Zealand a brief lifeline in the chase.

Shivam Dube’s Miss on Finn Allen Gives New Zealand a Lifeline

On the fifth delivery of the opening over, Shivam Dube failed to hold what was described as an easy chance, letting a catch slip through his grasp and denying India an immediate breakthrough. Arshdeep Singh began a celebration from the bowling end, but his momentum stopped when the ball evaded the fielder’s palms and fell to the ground.

New Zealand finished the first over with 4 runs, but the dropped opportunity proved crucial by keeping their aggressive opener at the crease for at least a short time.

Axar Patel Removes Finn Allen for 9 in the Third Over

Axar Patel claimed Finn Allen’s wicket in the third over, ending Allen’s innings at 9 runs off 7 balls. The dismissal curtailed an early New Zealand push and removed one of the side’s most dangerous hitters from the chase.

Allen’s brief stay at the crease followed the reprieve from Dube’s miss, turning what could have been a decisive early breakthrough into a momentary lifeline for New Zealand.

Aakash Chopra Names Finn Allen and Tim Seifert Most Explosive Openers

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra praised Finn Allen and Tim Seifert as “the most explosive and consistent opening pair” in the tournament, noting their destructive approach at the top of the order. Chopra highlighted Allen’s ability to punish width outside off stump and described the duo’s performances against teams such as South Africa and the UAE.

Chopra also noted Allen’s 33-ball century in the semifinal chase of 170 against South Africa, calling that innings the fastest century in T20 World Cup history and a match-winning effort that underlined Allen’s threat at the top of the order.

Chopra suggested bowlers should avoid offering width and instead finish their deliveries within the stumps to limit players like Allen, mentioning Axar Patel by name as a bowler who could employ that approach in the final.

For New Zealand, the sequence — a dropped catch by Shivam Dube, 4 runs in the first over, and Allen’s eventual dismissal by Axar Patel — condensed several pivotal moments into the opening stages of the chase, shaping the match’s early narrative.

More details expected 9: 34 p. m. ET.