Aaron Finch fell short of a record-breaking century, but his powerful 89 helped Australia reach 7-201 in their Twenty20 clash with India in Rajkot.

It was just the sixth time Australia had passed 200 in international T20s.

Finch, who had the best seat in the house for whirlwind cameos from Nic Maddinson (34 off 16) and Glenn Maxwell (27 off 13), took advantage of the small boundaries and placid pitch to reprise moments of his brilliant 156 against England in August.

Finch clobbered 14 fours and one six as his brutal and unorthodox style proved difficult for the Indian bowlers.

It took a spectacular caught-and-bowled from Vinay Kumar to halt the powerful right-hander.

Kumar was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3-25, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 3-35.

In his international debut, Maddinson produced a memorable, if short-lived, knock.

The 21-year-old crunched his second delivery straight past the bowler for four, which set the tone as he an Finch put on 56 for the first wicket.

His entertaining cameo was ended by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but not before he blasted six boundaries and a six.

India struck back with force after Australia’s hot start, with seamer Kumar removing the experienced Shane Watson (6) and captain George Bailey for a duck in the one over to bring Maxwell to the crease.

Maxwell brought the crowd to their feet when he thumped three sixes in one Ravindra Jadeja over.

With the blood pumping, Maxwell attempted to go large once more but was caught right on the boundary by Ishant Sharma.

Maxwell initially hung around, unconvinced of Sharma’s terrific effort in avoiding the boundary rope.

But replays confirmed the dismissal, and Maxwell’s explosive knock of 27, which included four sixes, was over.

India captain MS Dhoni won the toss clearly confident in his side’s experienced batting unit to be able to mow down any total.