M S Dhoni rules out playing three front-line spinners

Dhoni refused to be drawn into a debate on whether or not it was a revenge series for the team for the 4-0 thrashing it had received from England last year in the latter's backyard.

"I know for a fact that when we go to the field there will be a red ball, two teams that will play. You can name it whatever you want. That does not change the fact that from tomorrow we will go in and play Test cricket," he said.

Dhoni ruled out breaking up of the opening partnership of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag despite the Delhi pair's indifferent form in the previous home rubber against New Zealand and the earlier series in Australia.

"Gautam (Gambhir) and Viru pa (Sehwag) will open the innings," he said, to end any speculation on the issue.

He also praised the complementary roles played by his two frontline spin bowlers R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha.

"They (Ashwin and Ojha) understand each other really well, something that's very important. Ojha is someone who can keep it tight at one end and Ashwin will always be a more aggressive bowler, someone who has got plenty of variations and loves to use those. One of the important roles of Ojha is to keep it tight while Ashwin can attack from the other end.

"We have seen innings where Ojha got breakthrough while Ashwin did a bit of containing job. Both of them are able to get wickets for us. The best part is, if there is something for them they make sure they come into the game," he said.

On the role of Harbhajan, Dhoni said the feisty Punjab off-spinner brings in his vast experience from which the other two younger spinners could benefit.

"If you see the top 4-5 spinners, Bhaji definitely features there. The good thing is he was out of the side and is now part of this series which means he can share his experience with some of these youngsters," said Dhoni.

... contd.

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