InMobi

Finch overcomes his Johnson demons

Aaron Finch guided his new IPL franchise to victory over Mitch Johnson's Kings XI Punjab, admitting the left-armer has kept him up at night before past encounters

Aaron Finch can sleep a bit easier after putting to bed one of his past tormentors in last night's match-winning knock in the Indian Premier League.

Finch scored 74 from 47 balls to steer new franchise Gujarat Lions to their IPL maiden win, but he first had to conquer former Australia teammate and Kings XI Punjab spearhead Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson was playing his first high-profile match since he announced his retirement from international cricket last November.

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Finch took full advantage, taking the left-armer for two boundaries in his first over, including a thunderous pull shot to the mid-wicket rope.

The Lions opener finished with 17 runs off the 11 balls he faced from Johnson as the Lions roared to a five-wicket win in Mohali.

Match Report: Finch, Bravo plunder Punjab

"It gets the heart racing when you see Mitch at the top of his mark," Finch said after play. 

"He's terrorised me in the nets and in every game I've played against him in the past.

"It was just one of those days.

"The wicket was really nice for batting.

"It was probably best to get him when he was fresh off an extended break.

"He's someone who does tend to keep me up at night sometimes if you're playing against him down the track."

WATCH: Finch and Maxwell recall their encounters

Finch was bought by Gujarat in February's IPL auction for $208,000, making it his sixth IPL franchise following stints with Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians.

"You want to start any tournament well and it was good get out there," Finch said.

"It was disappointing to get out when I did but at the same time to put us in a winning position like that was really pleasing."

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The Punjab Cricket Association Stadium crowd witnessed a different kind of Finch on Monday.

While the meaty blows were still there, Finch's 12 boundaries all came along the carpet.

The Victorian used the pace of the ball to deftly guide and glance runs behind the wicket on a true pitch.

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"It wasn't intentional (choosing finesse over brute force), it was just the situation of the game," he said. "Marcus Stoinis was bowling a lot of slower balls at the time.

"It was just how it happened today through that innings.

"It's definitely not something that I planned.

"If you saw my first five or six balls you'll see I was a bit scratchy trying to go a bit too hard.

"It's something you need to adapt to in these conditions. It was beautiful batting track out there."