Mahendra Singh Dhoni stressed the need to focus on performances rather than the result itself on the eve of the first finals of the tri-series at the SCG on Sunday.

“I will tell the team to give their hundred percent and not really think about the result,” the Indian captain said on Saturday afternoon. “Winning is important, but it's not everything. A lot of people doubted this one-day side.

Now they have to analyse what are the capabilities of the youngsters, how good they are at the international level, what they can do on the field, what's the different pattern of the game that they are playing.”

Dhoni also asked his team to stay relaxed and not get uptight before the first final. “Sometimes, when you are desperate to win, the pressure mounts. Every game is a big game at the international level, you are representing the country. You want to prove yourself. It's always better to treat it as just another game. It eases a bit of pressure. It's when you are relaxed that you come up with the best.”

At the same time, Dhoni added that this game could set the tone for India's last week of a very long tour. “It's always important to have an upper hand, which puts the opponent under pressure,” the Jharkhandi observed.

“Australia have not been put under pressure too many times. They are a side which looks to dominate, that's what their cricket is all about. In this series, they have been under pressure whereas most of the time, they dominate any tournament they play in. We hope to maintain that pressure on them.”

Dhoni acknowledged that his team was peaking at the right time. “Between the Twenty20 game and now, the team has shaped up well. The bowlers are doing well, the batsmen are hitting better which really helps the side.

We are fielding well, the running has been excellent. Overall, we are at our best but we can still be better.”

The triangular series, with his hectic scheduling and constant travelling, was a very good learning experience for his young team. “A win over here will give them loads of confidence but it's more important to play good cricket and learn from here, especially because this is one of the toughest forms of cricket, against a very strong opposition. When you play Australia, you get a lot of experience. Playing thrice against them is the equivalent of the experience of eight to ten matches. That really helps the youngsters, not only in improving themselves but also in getting to know what is needed at the top level.”

Admitting that he was still a bit 'confused' about the combination, Dhoni went on, “It's more about the combination, whether to play four bowlers or five, and if five, whether to play three seamers or four. When you have the options, you make it more difficult for yourself. That's what is happening right now. Sachin will open definitely, but too many things are going around in my mind, so I will leave a decision about his partner till the last moment.”