Finn Allen Fails To Equal Only Virat Kohli's World Record

Finn Allen failed to break a Virat Kohli record during his 33-ball 100* (PC-x.com)

Finn Allen cracked a 33-ball unbeaten century in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2026 to knock out South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday evening. The New Zealand opener has bagged various milestones and a ton of laurels, but has failed to break a record held by Virat Kohli.

The former Indian captain had played breathtaking knocks across the T20 World Cup, leading him to win the Player of the Tournament awards in 2014 and 2016.

And despite playing one of the most explosive innings ever played in a T20 World Cup knockout, Finn Allen failed to break the Virat Kohli benchmark. Such is the legacy for the Indian maestro, Virat Kohli, in T20 World Cups.

Which Virat Kohli record Finn Allen couldn't break?

During his 33-ball 100 not out, Finn Allen amassed a total of 10 fours and eight sixes, helping the Blackcaps chase down a target of 170 runs in just 12.5 overs. He played four dots during his innings, which brings down the dot-ball percentage to 12.12.

Meanwhile, the legendary Indian batter, Virat Kohli, played just three dot deliveries during his famous 44-ball 72 against the same opposition as Finn Allen during the semifinal of the 2014 T20 World Cup in Dhaka.

Virat Kohli's three dots in his knock against the Proteas is the fewest dot balls played in an innings played in a knockout game of any T20 World Cup, with 30 balls or more played. Notably, 76 such innings have been played in semifinals or finals of the T20 World Cup.

Notably, Finn Allen broke multiple other records during his masterful knock against South Africa in Kolkata. He smashed the fastest century in the T20 World Cups. He also went past Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, and Glenn Phillips to hit the most number of sixes for the Kiwis (26).

Additionally, the Kiwi opener's unbeaten 100 is also the highest individual score in a knockout game in any T20 World Cup, leapfrogging Tillakaratne Dilshan's 96* in 2009.

New Zealand thrash South Africa in Kolkata

After thrashing the Proteas in the semifinal, the Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand have bagged a place in the final - a first T20 World Cup final for them since 2021. Interestingly, it is the second final in a row for Mitchell Santner as a captain in as many attempts.

The South Africans, on Wednesday, faced their first loss in the T20 World Cup after losing to India in the 2024 final. After playing top-notch brand of cricket in the group stage and the Super 8s, the Proteas had one poor performance at the office.

Once they were reeling at 77/5, but Marco Jansen (55* off 30) revived the innings during the partnerships with Tristan Stubbs and Corbin Bosch. However, Allen and Tim Seifert had different plans.

The opening duo went berserk from the word go, sharing an opening stand of 117 runs off just 55 balls. The Kiwis completed the chase with 43 balls to spare - the most in T20 World Cups in a chase of 170+ runs.

Now, India and England will be at loggerheads on Thursday in the second semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.