'We are still very confident in this format' – Australia T20I captain Aaron Finch

Finch and Australia's year began on a high with a tri-series win against England and New Zealand at home that included the highest successful run chase in Twenty20 International cricket. Finch made it even better by smashing 172 in a T20I against Zimbabwe in March, the highest individual score in the format.

But as the year wore on, Australia's went south, and as things stand, the team have won only four of their past 11 T20Is and only one of their last eight one-day internationals, the last defeats in the formats coming against South Africa at home.

Finch, however, believes that his team can turn it around. "Although we lost in the UAE to Pakistan, who are a very good T20 side, I think we played some really good cricket in Zimbabwe," Finch said. "We played some good cricket in the tri-series against very good England and New Zealand teams last (this) year. We are still very confident in this format."

Australia will be up against India, who haven't lost a single T20I series in 2018. The Indian batsmen too are in top form, with their captain Virat Kohli a thorn in the side of most oppositions.

However, Australia's focus will not solely be on Kohli. "You can't underestimate anyone in the Indian side," Finch cautioned. "Obviously, Virat is the best player in the world at the moment and has been for some time in the shorter formats.

"But they have got dangerous guys – you have got guys who have made double hundreds in one-day cricket. They have played so much T20 cricket and are so experienced that if you take them for granted, they will hurt you badly. There has been a little bit of focus around Virat but none more than Rohit (Sharma) or Shikhar (Dhawan) or KL (Rahul) or any of these guys who can be as damaging as anyone on their day."

Australia begin their multi-format series in Brisbane. While pace and bounce are expected, will spinners too come into play?

Definitely, according to Finch. "They will definitely be in the calculations. We are going to have a chat with JL (Justin Langer) about the make-up of the side but I'd imagine [they will].

"With the size of the ground and how well our spinners have bowled in the past – while the haven't been huge wicket-takers, the way Zamps (Adam Zampa) bowled against a very good South African side was excellent. I think Ashton Agar, although he hasn't had many chances, hasn't stopped training the house down. So we have got a couple of good options, which is a good position to be in."

The team's form aside, Finch's own run with the bat has been patchy of late, and that 172 remains the only highlight of the year – he has scores of 7, 1, 3, 0, and 1 in his last five T20I outings.

"I don't think I was batting badly in the one-day series [against South Africa]," Finch said. "I think I played a poor shot in the last game, chopped on in Adelaide and should have reviewed one in Perth. That kind of stuff happens when you are going through a tough patch, but I hope it won't last long."