The experiened batter was happy to play a new role with the Gujarat Lions during the IPL
Finch enjoyed new challenge at IPL
Twenty20 specialist Aaron Finch admitted he enjoyed batting in the middle order for the Gujarat Lions at the IPL.
Most renowned as a specialist opener at Twenty20 level, Finch spent portions of the tournament batting at No.5 and did so with aplomb.
Finch scored his fifth half century of the tournament when reaching 50 in the Lions' four-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the second qualifying final on Friday and the 29-year-old said he relished the opportunity to bat in the middle order.
"It was a new challenge and I really enjoyed it," Finch said.
"I played a different role throughout this tournament batting in the middle order at times, opened at the start of the tournament and did reasonably well and then, an injury came along.
"It was a nice challenge, something I haven't done before, a nice change-up and something I enjoyed.
"Once I got injured Dwayne Smith came in and played very well and he and (Brendon) McCullum put on a lot of runs.
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"To get my spot back in the side I had to compromise and batting at five was fine with me."
Finch amassed a total of 393 runs during the IPL at an impressive strike rate of 131, but his efforts weren’t enough to propel the Lions into the IPL decider.
Despite the Lions' disappointing finish to the tournament, Finch said he was happy with what his new team had achieved.
"It was a really pleasing season," he said.
"Obviously we didn't win it and that's what we came here to do.
"But a team in their first year, to be able to finish top of the table was outstanding and something we're really proud of.
"Unfortunately we didn't get the job done, but at the end of the day we had a great season."