Aaron Finch sent a subtle reminder to Australian selectors of his fondness for Indian conditions with a man-of-the-match performance in his Gujarat Lions debut in the IPL.
Finch, who played just two games in Australia's recent World T20 capitulation in India, smashed 74 from just 47 balls in the Lions' win over Kings XI on Monday.
His firepower at the top of the order helped fellow Aussie Brad Hodge get off to a winning start to his coaching career, the Lions chasing down their target of 162 with 14 balls and five wickets in hand.
Finch's knock included 12 boundaries, making the most of any room offered to him with six boundaries square through the offside, before he was stumped off Pardeep Sahu with the score on 117.
"You want to start any tournament well and it was good to get out there," Finch said.
"It was disappointing to get out when I did, but at the same time to put in a winning position like that was fantastic."
Fellow-Australian James Faulkner was not required to bat for the Lions, but went for 0-39 off four overs with the ball.
Meanwhile, Glenn Maxwell's struggles in India continued for the Kings XI.
After failing to post a half-century in the World T20, he faced just four balls before being bowled for two by Dwayne Bravo.
Mitchell Johnson's return to cricket only yielded 1-35 from four overs with the ball.
But the former Test quick showed some fancy footwork to run out Indian international Ravindra Jadeja, suggesting he may have been working on his soccer skills since pulling the pin on his international career.
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