Bailey says Finch's contribution 'crucial' in absence of Warner during ODI series in India

Australian captain George Bailey said it was crucial to take advantage of Finch's contributions in the absence of short-form specialist David Warner, who was left in Australia due to poor form in the coloured-clothing games.

According to News.com.au, by contrast, Finch has been in career-best form, dominating international bowling attacks in an aggressive, belligerent, and some would say 'Warner-esque' manner.

The 26-year-old Finch, has blasted big half centuries in Australia's opening two fixtures in India to identify himself as the tourist's dangerman, the report said.

Bailey said that anyone who can take a game away from the opposition is key.

Finch's whirlwind 89 provided the backbone to Australia's competitive 7-201 in Rajkot, which was run down with two balls to spare by India's master chasers Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, the report added.

While teammates came and went, he thrashed the ball into and over the boundary rope time and again before repeating the effort with a starring 72 in Sunday's victory, the report further said.

It follows on from his breakout series in England, which included a record-setting 156, the highest individual T20 international innings, according to the report.