Glenn Maxwell's isn't panicking about the potential effect his turbulent tour of India may have on his dream of retaining the Test No. 6 spot for the Ashes.
Maxwell is under pressure to keep his spot after Australia's Test tour of Bangladesh, where he averaged 33 across two matches.
The 28-year-old was dropped during the one-day series against India and returned to the fold for Sunday's T20 in Ranchi but struggled for a disappointing 17 from 16 balls.
Maxwell said selectors had made it clear whoever performs well in three highly anticipated Sheffield Shield games would get the nod.
"There's still a fair bit of time to go," Maxwell said.
"I'd like to get the opportunity if I do play well in those three Shield games. To play in the Ashes would be an absolute dream."
Maxwell has been part of a broader issue for Australia's middle order: their tendency for collapse.
They get another chance to make amends in a must-win T20 with India in the northeastern city of Guwahati on Tuesday.
"I'm not sure any one in that middle order's made runs consistently during this tour. I think all of us have probably got to stand up," Maxwell said.
But such awareness of the issue hasn't been reflected on the scoreboard. Australia's batsmen have acknowledged their shortcomings only for India's attack to repeatedly bring them undone.
Fast bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have emerged as some of the best finishers in limited-overs cricket, while wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have done damage through the middle overs.
Maxwell has been dismissed by Chahal in all four of his innings on this tour, but insists he is no bunny.
"I think if you look at all the games, I came in and you need to up the run rate, so he's just the lucky guy who's getting my wicket at the moment," Maxwell said.
Maxwell believes it is unlikely losing both the ODI and T20 series in India will impact Australia's momentum heading into the Ashes.
But making sure losing doesn't become a habit is vital in the tour's final two matches.
"As a group I think we need to be winning games of cricket," Maxwell said.
The series wraps up on Friday in Hyderabad, a little less than two weeks from the first Shield games.
Ahead of a crucial six weeks, Maxwell says he isn't short of confidence but admits the pressure has amplified.
"Hopefully there's runs around the corner," he said.
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