Left-arm paceman Irfan Pathan on Monday denied the team was distracted by the imminent bidding for the Indian Premier League and promised that it would come out firing in the crucial tri-series encounter against Sri Lanka.
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As players have been in dialogue with two members of the IPL governing body in Australia -- Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri -- it was deemed to have had an effect on their focus in Sunday's game.
Pathan said the team discussed the areas which required improvement after their 50-run defeat against Australia.
"It was a useful meeting, in the sense everyone discussed the areas where the team needed to improve. It was useful and I'm sure the positives from it would be seen on the field tomorrow," Pathan told reporters.
Indians badly bungled in chasing a modest target of 204 against Australia, a defeat that has put in balance their chances of qualifying for the finals.
The Baroda bowler, who returned figures of 4-41, hoped the ordinary show by the batsmen would not be repeated.
"In a way it is good. The team is young and the boys are going to learn from it. It's not that you immediately are going to find your feet in international cricket. It's going to take some time," he said.
But Pathan did not agree that the poor performance was the result of any let up in their commitment.
"When you write you don't think about your family and friends. Similarly when we play cricket, we only play cricket," Pathan said.
Pathan did not mind his place in the batting order being shuffled with.
"Obviously, I knew that I would be batting at number three (yesterday). The team management had told me in advance.
"At number three, in case we are chasing a big total, I have to play my shots. In case the target is not big, I have to play normally like a batsman."
Pathan parried a question on the fitness of Virender Sehwag, who was kept out of the playing XI against Australia but is likely to return for Tuesday's match against Sri Lanka.
"I spoke to him yesterday and he was alright but I'm in no position to comment. Physio and team management would have a better idea on it."
Pathan did not believe that the pressure was entirely on India. He felt Sri Lanka would also be facing the heat and could not be taken lightly.
"The pressure will not only be on us. Sri Lanka would also be feeling the pressure. They have a game more than us but we have more points than them.
"They were the World Cup finalists only last year. They are a very good side and can't be taken lightly."
Pathan was happy to see bowlers ruling the roost in the series so far. But he felt the batsmen of the three teams were due for big scores.
"As a bowler, I feel happy to see them do so well in the series so far. It shows the quality of bowling in all the three teams. But I feel the batsmen would soon be among runs."
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