We’ll stay fresh mentally and try to win: Dhoni

Guwahati: India might have lost the Hyderabad ODI by a mere three runs but it was a thumping blow on the world No.2 ranked one-day side that couldn’t make it through against a team that was struggling terribly with nine of its main players injured.

MS Dhoni knows his team should have won that game and though he expressed his disappointment on losing, he also said his team is looking to put the defeat behind and focus on the remaining two must win games.

"It was hurting and disappointing. But we have left everything in the dressing room. We have two more games to go and that's what count 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," Dhoni said at the pre-match press conference.

So what are Team India’s plans to win the remaining two matches and the series?

"Strategy is to get off a good start and then capitalise on it and dictate terms on the opposition side. We have done well in patches. It's important to be consistent especially when it comes to fielding. So we are hoping to field well," answered the Indian captain.

On whether the middle-order's inconsistent form is a concern, Dhoni said though the performance has not been too good, he is not worried.

"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," Dhoni said.

Reflecting on the defeat in Hyderabad, Dhoni said the team could have calculated a bit better and settled the issue.

"We had about five overs of Power-play left with four-five wickets in hand. More often, in such a case, the team batting second wins. I think we lost there. We are learning on that. Hopefully we will not repeat the same mistake again," he said.

In spite of the loss and despite trailing the series 2-3, Dhoni refused to give a mental edge to the oppositions and said his team would not take any added pressure or burden going into the next game.

"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," he said.

The captain cleared the air of doubt over Virender Sehwag missing the practice today, saying the dashing opener did not turn up as it was an optional session.

"Today was a lighter session. We wanted to give the guys some rest so we had a longish warm-up session. The lower order batted, there is no particular reason behind Harbhajan (Singh) or Ravindra Jadeja batting at the nets today," he explained.

On under-pressure Ravindra Jadeja, who has run himself out twice in the series so far, Dhoni said he would continue to back the all-rounder.