Hyderabad, Nov. 4: His team’s 0-2 record at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium notwithstanding, Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni appeared relaxed and cheerful ahead of the series’ crucial fifth game against Australia on Thursday.

Addressing the media after practice on Wednesday evening, Dhoni said, "Statistics do not matter when you go out in the middle. The most important thing is to perform well as a team and gain a 3-2 lead tomorrow."

The good news came when Dhoni announced that Gautam Gambhir was fit. "Gauti is fit and should be playing tomorrow," the Indian skipper said.

The openers haven’t really fired in the series so far, and Dhoni knows that they will have to come good in the remaining three games.

"When you play seven batsmen in the team, you expect the first six to score runs and not depend on the seventh one to do the job. It is crucial to have runs on the board to put pressure on the opposition and the same is the case when you are chasing. So, the top order’s job becomes the key," he said.

On the potency of the Australian attack sans Brett Lee and Peter Siddle, Dhoni said, "The Australians are fighters. They are always expected to do well and you can never count them out."

He also defended Ravindra Jadeja’s role in the side, saying: "He comes at No. 7 and is filling the role of a bowling all-rounder. He has bowled brilliantly in this series and will come handy with the bat too."

With three games to go, Dhoni said it will be crucial for the team to be consistent. "It’s been an excellent series. It has now become like a three-match series where in each game is crucial and as the series progresses, it will be important not to have an off day as recovery will then be difficult," he said.