Tendulkar-Kohli partnership tired Aussies bowlers, says MS Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was today modest in admitting that he never dreamt of playing for the country, leave aside scoring a double hundred in Test cricket ever in his career.

Dhoni smashed 224 for off 265 deliveries in India's first innings score of 572 in reply to Australia's 380 to lay the foundation for the hosts' convincing eight-wicket victory in the opening cricket Test of the four-match series here.

Questioned about his majestic double century, Dhoni replied:"I had never dreamt that I would get a double in Tests. I had never even dreamt of playing for the country. So, let's just keep it simple."

Coming onto bat on the third day of match with India at 196 for four, Dhoni produced a stunning counter-attacking knock on a difficult Chepauk pitch to notch up his maiden double ton, his sixth Test century overall.

"It was important to play some shots. If you have those extra catching fielders, you might make one mistake and end your innings. I had to play a few shots to try and spread the field. That was the motive," said Dhoni, who was also adjudjed the man-of-the-match for his stunning knock.

"But the first partnership was important. Sachin (Tendulkar) and (Cheteshwar) Pujara batted for a period of time. The partnership between Virat (Kohli) and Sachin was crucial. It tired the bowlers a bit."

The Indian skipper reserved special praise for off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who returned with a match haul of 12 for 198.

"Ashwin bowled brilliantly. He bowled in right areas and has got variations. He was consistent in this match. In the second innings, he was well supported by Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh)." Having learnt a hard lesson from England series which they lost 1-2 after winning the first Test, Dhoni doesn't want to get complacent as the job is far from being over yet.

... contd.

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