Gritty win big lift for summer

AUSTRALIAN captain Aaron Finch says his side would be buoyed by Wednesday night’s gutsy Twenty20 win over India going into tonight’s clash at the MCG.

Finch hailed Australia’s courage after it fought back to defeat India in a thrilling match at the Gabba.

The four-run win snapped a four-game T20 losing streak.

In a rain-affected clash reduced to 17 overs a side, India fell short of a revised target of 174 after Australia posted 4-158. The rain came after Australia had faced 16.1 overs.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa (2-22) was named man of the match, swinging momentum after Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan (76) threatened to blow the hosts away.

India mounted a late fightback and looked set to pull off a remarkable win before Marcus Stoinis (2-27) took two wickets in the final over.

Australia has lost Test, one-day and T20 series to Pakistan and South Africa in the past two months.

“I thought the boys played really well, particularly through the middle overs with the bat,” Finch said. “We showed a lot of courage to take it on the way we did.

“I thought some of our bowling was outstanding.”

Australia had contributions throughout its innings from Glenn Maxwell (46), Chris Lynn (37), Stoinis (33 not out) and Finch (27).

The rain delay altered the contest and India finished 7-169 in its run chase after a late fightback from Dinesh Karthik (30 from 13).

Indian captain Virat Kohli brushed off his poor start to the tour after he was dismissed for four by Zampa and dropped Finch in the field.

“That’s how it goes in this game sometimes,” Kohli said.

“You have to take these days and learn from them.

“It was a see-sawing battle. We thought we were going to win and it turned.”