Tim David is really versatile and flexible: Finch

A year ago, Tim David was far away from the Australian T20I picture as possible. But his display all over the world, from the Caribbean Premier League, the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League and then in the Indian Premier League, forced the all-rounder into contention. 

Not only has he pipped the likes of Ben McDermott in the T20 World Cup squad but also has a clear opportunity of featuring in the playing XI. Despite no eye-catching performances in the tour thus far, Australian skipper Finch hailed David as a really versatile and flexible batter. 

In the eight-over contest in Nagpur, the right-hander was promoted at No.4, a move that didn’t quite pay off. But skipper Finch insisted that his display at No.4, in the PSL prompted the Men in Yellow to take such a decision. 

"What Tim brings to the table obviously is some great form in competitions around the world. In various batting positions I know in the PSL, he batted at 4 and had a great tournament, other tournaments, he batted five and six," Finch said.

"So we see him as a really versatile and flexible player and obviously his power speaks for itself.

The Australian skipper also reckoned that the strong right-hander would be more suitable towards the back end of the innings, at No.6, which will propel Australia towards the death overs of the contest. 

"We've all seen how destructive he can be once he gets in and in terms of the order I think it just depends on the game situation, maybe, some matchups in the opposition as well. Ideally, it'd be right towards the back end because the top order has done a great job.

"But I think if you look down our World Cup squad, we've got some power there with Maxwell, Stoinis, David, Wade and Smith. We've got a lot of options there which is really good."

On the clash in Nagpur, Finch opined that it was important for Australia to take initiative early on in the innings, considering that they had to defend a total. It was that decision that prompted the promotion of David, at No.4. 

"It's important that you're always looking at ways to improve and obviously we were with Maxwell at three, Tim David at four. So we're trying to be a bit more aggressive up front and yeah, we haven't played too many shortened games," Finch said.

Australia also dropped wicketkeeper Josh Inglis for the second T20I, instead preferring the all-round presence of Sean Abbott in the playing XI. 

"Especially leading into a World Cup, we've to put some thought into it over some time. Josh Inglis came out at the last minute, and Sean Abbott took his spot. That was just to give us an extra bowling option, not knowing how the wicket would play.

"So there's just a little bit of execution with bat and ball I think at times that probably just swung the momentum of the game. And obviously, the way the Rohit played was pretty special. And also Axar the way that he bowled, he was outstanding."

The two teams will go hard once again at each other, in the series finale on Sunday (September 25).