Guwahati, Nov 7(ANI): On the eve of sixth one-day international between India and Australia, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that this was one series where the middle-order has not performed consistently.

Addressing the media in Guwahati on Saturday, Dhoni said: This is one of the series where the middle order has not performed consistently, where we have only performed in patches. It is not that we don't perform in each and every game. But of course it's good if we get a good start so that the middle order and lower order can capitalize on that.

However, Dhoni ruled out that stress was a reason behind the defeats.

We play throughout the year so whether it is a five-match series or seven-match series or test match series because we don't have a longer break between the series and after this we will have to play against Sri Lanka, he said.

Meanwhile, Australian vice captain Michael Hussey said that his team would like to maintain its rhythm and try to wrap the series by winning Guwahati game.

For our team it would be nice to remain as number-one team. What motivating us is to try and win this series against India, that's all we are really focusing on at this moment. I guess that if we do that (winning the series) then the by-product is that we remain the number one team, Hussey said.

Guwahati is the venue for the sixth ODI match scheduled on Sunday. (ANI)