“I think personally sledging is a bit too much, but I don't mind the occasional staring and verbals. It charms the game," the Indian all-rounder told newsmen on Thursday evening. "It has been there for a long time, and it is good for the crowd as well. Sometimes, people show their frustration, and as a fast bowler, that is fine with me.

My personal view is that it is fine so long as it is not out of limits. Some of the best sledges are still talked about, because that is also a part of cricket."

Despite the eight-wicket loss to Sri Lanka on Tuesday, the Indians are still upbeat. "Everyone is very keen," Pathan said. "We are not very disappointed, it wasn't as if we played badly. If it had been a full 29-over game, the result might have been different. No one is down, the heads are held pretty high. Of course, when you lose, it will upset your plans. But the team is in very good shape, we are jelling well and playing very good cricket."

Pathan was asked if he felt this Australian side was more beatable than Aussie teams of the past. "We are very confident whenever we play them," the Vadodara lad replied. "We have raised our level throughout the tour. If you keep raising your level, you have a better chance of winning. There have been some changes to the Australian team, they have lost some very experienced players but they are still a very good team. They are ranked number one in the world, but I feel that if we get into our rhythm, we can defeat any team in the world. And we are getting into our groove."

India have had just one full game out of four tries in the tri-series. "It does get frustrating, especially when the momentum is with you," he conceded. "We batted well in Brisbane under the conditions, and won the only full game, at the MCG. But you can't control the weather. Everyone has played enough cricket to understand that."

With Ishant Sharma stepping up to the plate, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has used Pathan as first change in the last couple of games. "I am enjoying it," he laughed. "I enjoy whatever role is given to me. Ishant got the new ball at the MCG and bowled really well. I am happy for him, and from team’s perspective, I am happy bowling first-change. At the end of the day, I enjoy playing for the country more than anything else, doesn't matter if I bowl with the new ball or not."

After playing twice in three days, India have a four-day break before their next game, against Australia here on Sunday. "The break helps us regain strength and do our training as well as preparation for the next match. For guys out of form, it's a chance to get some practice. For me as a bowler, whether it is back-to-back games or a four-day break, it doesn't matter a lot except that the work I do during the days off will allow me to stay strong throughout the series," pointed out Pathan who, despite the heavy workload of the last month, said he felt fresh and the body was fine. "Gimme more!" he bellowed.