Who should open fir KKR in IPL 2026 [Sources: X]In the IPL 2026 mini auction, KKR had the largest purse, and the franchise utilised the money to perfection as they bought a plethora of star players to fill in the loopholes from last season. The former IPL winners invested heavily in Cameron Green and Matheesha Pathiran, but they also roped in two underrated picks in Finn Allen and Tim Seifert.While Seifert was bought for just 1.5 crore, Allen was roped in for 2 crores as KKR has strengthened their top order issues for the upcoming season. However, the franchise has a dilemma before the next season commences. Cameron Green will surely start as the management has invested heavily in him.Sunil Narine is another guaranteed starter, and with no Mustafizur Rahman, Pathirana will lead the bowling attack. That leaves the opening spot to be filled in, and there are two contenders, Seifert and Allen.Seifert or Allen: Who should open for KKRKKR played a masterstroke by signing the Kiwi duo for a relatively lower price, but now the franchise must decide on their opening combination, and can fit at the top.CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableTim SeifertSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableFinn AllenSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMatchesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table16SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table5SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRunsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table559SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table144SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableStrike rateSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table164.41SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table211.76SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableFor their international team, both Seifert and Allen have been magnificent, but in 2025, Seifert was given a longer rope as he played 16 T20Is as compared to five played by Allen.However, in just five games, the 26-year-old Allen scored at 211, while his KKR and Kiwi mate had a strike rate of 164.41, which is outstanding by every means.Seifert has played more matches than Allen and it showcased the trust the Kiwi management showed in him, and perhaps, KKR could go the same way, at least for the initial few games.Seifert has scored run across globeIn 2025, the hard-hitting batter scored truckloads of runs for New Zealand as he amassed 559 runs, and they came at various venues, showcasing his ability to adapt. He slammed runs in New Zealand, in Zimbabwe, scored against Australia in Australia, and tormented India in their backyard in the ongoing series.Allen, on the other hand has scored runs in home conditions, and has largely been untested in away matches, and as a result, he could fall behind in the pecking order.Seifert's India onslaught makes him number one favouriteWhen KKR bought Seifert, the biggest question mark was, can he score runs in India against the quality Indian bowlers? Fast forward to four T20I matches later and that question has also been answered.In the second T20I against India in Raipur, Seifert slammed a quickfire 24 off 13, and it was followed by a breathtaking 50-plus score in the fourth T20I as the batter made a mockery of the Indian attack and tore them apart with ease.The IPL will be played in India, and franchises keep a tab on how their players are performing. Seifert proved his skillset in Indian conditions just before the IPL, and he scored runs against some of the best bowlers, showcasing his ability to adjust in Indian conditions.While Allen was the star in the BBL, slamming a record 38 sixes, but he has not played any international T20I game as of late, and that could cost him his spot, at least in the first few games.Final verdictThere is not much to separate the two Black Caps superstars in T20 cricket, but Seifert is just ahead in the pecking order for the KKR opening slot, mainly due to his exploits against India in India. In away conditions against the reigning T20 champions, the 31-year-old has proven his mettle, and unless an injury occurs, he should start for KKR as an opener.
