As India prepare to take on Australia in the sixth ODI here, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has urged the middle order to be consistent.

“This is one of the series in which the middle order hasn’t performed consistently. It’s not worrying, but of course, it’s good if the top order gets a good start and the middle order capitalises on it,” said the Indian captain at the pre-match press conference. Apart from Dhoni’s century at Nagpur and his match-winning partnership with Yuvraj Singh in Delhi, the performance so far has failed to live up to expectations.

But Dhoni appears relaxed, despite the fact that his team is teetering on the line. “Every game is a pressure game and Sunday’s match is no different. Our first priority is to stay alive in the series,” he said.

The Nehru Stadium wicket has satisfied the skipper, but the early start and the fast-fading light in the afternoon are on the agenda in the team meeting. “It’s a classic and typical sub-continent wicket. But yes, Duckworth-Lewis can come into play. We are keeping that in mind.

“I think we miscalculated the (batting) powerplay in the last match,” said Dhoni. There was no instruction from the dressing room, but the captain added that the team could have taken the powerplay with five wickets in hand.

Dhoni also stood by Ravindra Jadeja, who drew his share of criticism after the loss in Hyderabad. “He (Jadeja) is bowling well and is fantastic in the field. As the series goes on, he will improve.”

... contd.