We have to stay fresh mentally: Dhoni

Stung by a disappointing loss in Hyderabad, India cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that his boys are trying to stay mentally fresh ahead of the crucial sixth one-day international against Australia here Sunday.

India trail 3-2 in the series and any slip-up will allow the Australians to seal the seven-match series.

The Hyderabad loss has hurt India a lot, but Dhoni said they have put the past behind.

"It (Hyderabad loss) was hurting and disappointing. But we have left everything in the dressing room. We have two more games to go and that's what counts now. Whatever has happened has happened. You cannot change much about it. It's important to concentrate on what lies ahead and stay fresh mentally," he said.

Dhoni said that now he is not looking at winning the series but the priority is to stay alive in it.

"Every game was a pressure game in the series and the remaining two games also. Our first priority is to be in the series, so we have to win the next game and not looking too far ahead."

For India the major concern will be its inconsistent middle order.

"We rely on a good start but every now and then your openers don't score and the pressure comes to the middle order. This is one of the series where the middle order has not performed consistently. It's not a worrying thing. But of course it's good if we get a good start so that the middle order and lower order capitalise on that," he said.

Dhoni backed all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to perform.

"He is doing well but when it comes to selection, we don't speak too much about it. But every individual, if he is doing well deserves a chance to be in the side. Jadeja is bowling well, as series goes he will turn up more as a batsman," the skipper said.

Last updated on Nov 7^th, 2009 at 19:54 pm IST--IANS