Having resurrected his farewell series, Australian captain Steve Waugh said his team had put behind the "uncomfortable pressure" of conceding the lead but was not prepared to take anything for granted against India in the decider in Sydney.
Waugh also did not believe that his world champion side had the momentum going in to the Sydney Test after the nine-wicket series-levelling victory.
"It is an uncomfortable pressure when you are 0-1 down in a series. But it is something you occasionally need to lift yourselves and we lifted in this game," Waugh said.
"We came back well, end of day one we were still in trouble but we fought our way back. That is the sign of a good side."
The 38-year-old veteran was still wary of Indians who had inflicted a series defeat on Aussies in 2001.
"We have learnt over the last couple of series against India that is has been fluctuating every game and you cannot take anything for granted.
"I don't know what is going to happen in Syndey, but I know it will be a good match," he said.
The retiring captain was generous in praising the present bunch of Indian players and said they were a mentally tough side.
"I am pretty sure they are a tougher side, batting wise definitely. They are very hard to get out and want to occupy the crease for long periods. There are not many teams who have done this against us," Waugh said.
"They are a good batting side. Harbhajan Singh is a world class spinner, so is (Anil) Kumble and you have got three guys who can swing the ball," Waugh said.
"They are making us work hard. In the field they are pretty strong as well. John Wright and (Sourav) Ganguly have done a good job. They have got a lot of senior players, lot of experience and they are no longer the talent side which rolls over, they are a talented side which counts."
And Waugh said instead of mulling over the failure of Sachin Tendulkar, cricket fans in India should rejoice that even without him their team was putting up good scores on the board.
"Other guys are stepping in the breach and doing well. Laxman, Dravid, Ganguly and Sehwag have done exceptionally well and covered for Tendulkar. That is a sign of a very good batting line up. They should be proud the other guys are doing so well and not be so much concerned that Tendulkar is not scoring runs."
Waugh, whose Sydney outing would be his last Test appearance, said he feared he would have to miss the farewell match because of the blow that he took on his elbow during the Melbourne Test.
"At that time I thought I had broken arm. I have been hit many times before in my career. Although I realised I would get back here at some stage, I was not sure if I would be ready for Sydney," he said adding he would definitely play the Sydney Test.
Waugh said their improved bowling performance on the second day turned things around for them.
"If I am bowling, it is not a very good sign for us. That is what it looked on the first day. But then a few wickets late in the day and then the second when we took six for 16 turned the game around.
"You could sense the momentum turn around. Indians realised that a major opportunity had slipped past them."
Waugh felt Test cricket was in good shape with batsmen scoring their runs briskly and sides generally beginning to look good all over.
"We have the example of India. Pakistan is doing well with younger guys. New Zealand is going the right way. Australia have plenty of good players coming through.
"When people see Lara, Tendulkar, Kallis, Gibbs, Kirsten, Hayden or Ponting scoring briskly, it is almost contagious.
Bowlers are feeling the stress because they are probably playing more and getting injuries and dropping out."
Waugh wanted his side to do well in the final Test in Sydney because he did not want to go out as a losing Test captain -- the way his career in one-day cricket had ended.
"One of my main concerns is I do not want to go out as a losing captain. I did that in my one day career, losing the last series I played in, I do not want to do that in Test career. That is my main concern."
Australia could not make it to the finals of the 2001-2002 VB Series as South Africa and New Zealand contested the finals and the former had emerged winners.