The historic run-chase in Jaipur would have given India a confidence boost as they go into the third match of the series. After losing the first game, the MS Dhoni-led side made a magnificent comeback when they beat Australia by nine-wickets while reaching the 360-run target.

India opener Shikhar Dhawan who, along with Rohit Sharma, helped set the match up for India, said that it is more the mindset that has helped them counter Australia. Speaking about the transformation in his own game as an opener, Shikhar said, “It is more in the mind, my skills are the same. I have matured as a batsman and I value my wicket more. I am hungrier. I am smiling more. I have started changing things in the nets. My concentration is better. I have been working hard,” he told the media after practice at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, the venue for the third ODI.

Looking back on the chase and talking about the calculated risks they took, Shkhar said, “We are always positive and that’s something our captain has asked us to do. The target was quite big but he asked us not to worry about it and just enjoy ourselves. That’s what we did and we won.

“300 used to be a big score earlier but now it’s pretty gettable. 360 was still a big target. But we had an attitude that we can chase it. Because of our thinking and team effort we won,” he said.

While the batsmen enjoyed themselves, the bowlers had a tough outing. Shikhar defended them, citing the nature of the wickets as a reason. “The wickets are good batting wickets. Our bowlers are doing a great job; we are trying to improve and become stronger in our bowling as well.

“I guess the boys were using the bouncers to try and surprise their batsmen. But it was a good batting wicket, so the bowlers were put on the back foot. We have been working and analysing both our batting and bowling and coming up with good ideas to improve and improvise more.”

While talking about the barrage of short balls from Australia and India’s perceived weakness against it, Dhawan said, “Mitchell Johnson has pace, so he will trying bowling short often. But we have been practicing and know how to counter short bowling. The boys hit good pull shots in the last match. We know what their plans are and also that they will try new things. Bouncer is a weapon for the bowlers who have pace and they will definitely try and use it. That’s how it is. We will have to do our best to counter it.”

Giving his opinion on the two new-ball rule in ODIs, Shikhar said “It’s not good for the openers because you have to face the new ball for ten overs. Having said that, as per the earlier rule, the ball was changed after 34 overs, so that makes up for the number of overs we face with the new ball. For me, I am fine with it. For an opener it is more difficult because the ball swings from both ends, so we have to be technically stronger.

The batsman is back at the venue where he made a dream Test debut bludgeoning the bowling attack of the same opposition earlier this year. “I have great memories here; made my debut and got a century. So yes, great motivation for me and I want to repeat the same tomorrow,” Dhawan said.