Australian rising star Cameron Green has added another string to his already sizable bow, starring in his newfound opening role less than a month out from the T20 World Cup on home soil.
Promoted to open the batting alongside skipper Aaron Finch, the Western Australian bludgeoned 52 runs from just 21 deliveries, sending 11 balls to the boundary including seven over the fence in Hyderabad.
While the 23-year-old's sublime efforts weren't enough to see the tourists over the line in the final of three T20 internationals in the sub-continent, Green's eye-catching innings has thrown a cat amongst the proverbial pigeons.
Having surpassed the half-century mark earlier in the brief series, questions as to why Green wasn't selected in Australia's 15-man squad for the World Cup in October.
"It's a proper conundrum," ex-Australian representative Brad Hodge expressed to ESPN Cricinfo.
While an ability to alter the squad remains available to the Australian selectors, Hodge stressed that Green's proficiency in foreign conditions will have piqued interest away from home soil.
"This is an exciting talent, no doubt about it. He will probably go on to be one of the best players Australia has ever produced. He's shown what he's got in his kit bag, not only in Test cricket, but in T20 cricket as well," Hodge added.
"There will be a few IPL teams that have seen something they might like in the future as well.
"Having not been selected in the initial squad with how he's playing, it's a challenge for Australia.
"His aggression at the top was impressive and his bowling and fielding was also impressive.
"If it's possible, I'm sure the Australian unit will have to look at Cameron Green (for the World Cup). He's in form, he's hitting the ball well, and there's not too many players in the world at the moment that can take down the likes of (Jasprit) Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar."
The Aussie selectors have the prospect of further headaches on their hands when they eventually sit down to decide who makes way from Tim David.
With 54 of 27 balls, the short-form specialist shone in the defeat, finishing the series with an average of 24.6.
Having plied his trade with numerous T20 franchise across the globe, as well as a stint with Singapore, David's skillset within the form remains a hot topic ahead of the tournament.
David replaced dual threat Marcus Stoinis in the middle order, with the Melbourne Stars' representative failing to feature since failing with the bat during Australia's recent home ODIs.
Stoinis provided little resistance during his last three stands against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in Townsville and Cairns respectively, notching scores of 0, 5 and 3.
Australia will open its account at the T20 World Cup when they face New Zealand at the SCG on Saturday, October 22.
