Watson hails Raghuvanshi's stunning growth and Finn Allen's consistency in 2026 IPL

KKR's coach praises young batter Raghuvanshi's rapid skill improvement and Finn Allen's recent form as both players show promise ahead of a key match.

Watson's high praise for Raghuvanshi Before facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur on Wednesday, the team's coach reflected on the remarkable progress of a young batter. "I've been fortunate over the years to see some unbelievably talented young cricketers in the IPL," he said. "I remember seeing Sanju Samson as a 17-year-old and being blown away by his skill level. Angkrish is another one of those players. His skill development at 21 is honestly astonishing." The coach highlighted the youngster's adaptability across different conditions and bowlers, along with his extensive shot-making repertoire. "What stands out is his ability to adapt to different conditions and bowlers while still having a wide range of shot options." ## Raghuvanshi's current season stats Despite limited appearances, the young batter has shown glimpses of potential. In his third IPL season, he has played all 10 matches so far, scoring 269 runs at a strike rate of 135.85. This places him at 46th among the 52 batters who have faced at least 100 deliveries this season. His recent form has been less impressive, with a strike rate of just 107 in the last five innings and 87 runs accumulated. The team faces a two-pronged challenge with his performance metrics. ## KKR's batting order dilemma The team's issue stems from Raghuvanshi's moderate strike rate, which is part of a broader problem. Batting at number three behind skipper Ajinkya Rahane, whose own strike rate of 132.12 at the top is even lower, the youngster ranks two spots below at 48th on the same list. The coach remains optimistic about the player's future, emphasizing his potential to become a complete batter with consistent application of his skills. ## Watson's training observations and wicketkeeping role The coach shared insights from recent training sessions, noting the young player's rapid progress. "Even in training yesterday, on a challenging wicket, some of the things he was doing were ridiculous to watch," he remarked. "He's only going to get better as he learns how to harness all that skill consistently." The youngster's new role as a wicketkeeper adds to his growing reputation. "He wasn't originally a full-time keeper, but he's worked incredibly hard at it and done a brilliant job. The best keepers are the ones you barely notice because everything looks smooth—and he's done that beautifully." His dedication and eagerness to improve make him an ideal player for any coach to work with. ## Finn Allen's recent performances The coach also expressed excitement about another young talent, Finn Allen, who recently delivered an unbeaten century off 47 balls against Delhi Capitals. Unlike Raghuvanshi, who is still mastering high-risk shots, Allen is refining his approach to balance aggression with consistency. Since returning to the lineup, he has scored 29 runs in one innings and a hundred in another, contributing to the team's four-match winning streak. ## Watson's analysis of Finn Allen's game The coach discussed Allen's unique challenges, noting his ability to strike the ball cleanly but struggling with consistency. "The challenge for Finn has always been balancing his extraordinary ball-striking ability with consistency," he said. "He can take down any bowler in the world, in any conditions. Now the next stage in his evolution is understanding which bowlers to target, what his shot options are, and when to fully access his power." Allen's recent innings against Delhi Capitals showcased a more measured approach, marking a shift in his usual aggressive style. "The innings he played in the last game [in Delhi] actually wasn't a typical Finn Allen innings. Usually he goes very hard from ball one. This time he was more measured early on, before really putting his foot down against specific bowlers and in his preferred hitting zones." ## KKR's season turnaround and future outlook KKR has endured a difficult start to the season, going without a win in six matches, but have since found their rhythm. Interestingly, their upcoming opponents, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, experienced a similar slump in 2024 before winning six consecutive games to secure a playoff spot. When asked about the team's aspirations, the coach remained grounded. "To be totally honest, we haven't talked about the future at all," he said. "It sounds cliché, but that genuinely has been our approach. What's been most impressive over the last few games is how the group has come together across all facets of the game." The team's focus remains on delivering complete performances, with confidence in their squad's abilities and direction. ## KKR's recent standout performance The recent win against Delhi Capitals demonstrated the team's growing cohesion. "Against DC, we ticked every box," the coach noted. "That's what we're chasing—complete performances. We're confident in the skills within our squad and in the direction we're heading. There's optimism because teams have come from difficult positions before and made deep runs into the finals. But for us, the most important thing is continuing to put together complete games like we did in the last match."