Finch's brutish masterclass

Aaron Finch is at his best in T20s while opening the batting, a position that allows him to utilise the field restrictions in the Powerplay, primarily to hit over the infield. After opening for Gujarat Lions for a couple of games, he was again pushed down to No. 4 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, two early wickets meant Finch could either benefit from almost a third of the Powerplay or look to play himself in and prevent further damage.

He didn't read his first delivery, a googly from Samuel Badree, which was Finch's indicator to stick to his strengths. Anticipating a full length, Finch stayed low and nailed a slog sweep off the next ball, hitting the roof over deep midwicket. Next ball, he swatted another full delivery over long-on. Finch didn't need to alter his successful attacking approach thereafter. He slugged five fours and six sixes en route to the fastest fifty by a Lions batsman, finishing with 72 off just 34 balls to help the side breeze to victory.

Finch was cruising along when Suresh Raina picked out deep midwicket with a slog sweep. Subsequent replays indicated Yuzvendra Chahal had overstepped. Finch, with the support of a free-hit, missed a switch-hit, his weakest stroke. He was determined to show off his proficiency with touch strokes, so he tried again. On 67, he brought out a conventional reverse sweep, guiding a legbreak from Chahal to the third man boundary. It was Finch's most deft stroke in an otherwise brutish innings.

@AaronFinch5 is in town people #kaboooooooom serious hitting
David Warner on Twitter

Thanks for all the kind messages, it was a great team effort! Congratulations @Bazmccullum on 100 brilliant IPL games!!
Aaron Finch, on Twitter