Denied a turning track, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is looking to his pace bowlers to play crucial role against England in the third Test starting here on Wednesday. Following is the excerpts of the pre-match comments he made after the home team’s last practice session at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday.
On the Eden wicket
The wicket looks good. We will have to take into account the wear and tear and how it behaves. I don’t think there will be much help for the spinners initially. At this time of the year, fast bowlers get some swing both at the start of the play and towards the end. Fast bowlers will be really crucial.
On the importance of first-innings lead
It's important to take a first innings lead. It sets up the game. It's very important to be at par in the first two or three days as we have seen the games change in the last two days. Then we can bother about the Eden wicket’s wear and tear.
On playing at home
You have to stick to your strengths. When it comes to the subcontinent, it’s the spinners who play a crucial role. Whatever the result maybe, we should stick to the kind of conditions where our speciality is.
On the form of openers
We have a side that relies a lot on the openers. But we don't want to put any extra pressure on them. We want them to enjoy the game. Viru paaji is someone who loves to express himself. It really is a matter of time.
On his performance as wicket-keeper
When you talk about wicketkeepers in general, they act like the vice-captains — even if not officially — since the captain gives them the liberty to change the field as per the bowling. They are constantly active. It’s very demanding but I don’t really think it affects your game a lot. It’s important to back what your strength is. Especially when you have led the side for three years, you see both sides of the coin. The most important thing is to choose the middle path. It’s the most difficult thing to do as emotions get in the way.
On home advantage
It’s a big part of Test cricket. The concept of playing around the world and the challenges attached with it goes down the drain when you play at home. But sometimes, we see that even five days are not enough to get a result. I feel the challenges for a touring team comes when they play on tracks that assist the spin. It does not matter if you lose a few games or win the series.
On the Kolkata crowd
City of Joy has always been a place where people turn up to watch a Test. I don’t think there will be any shortage of fans for this Test.
On the break after the second Test
It was good for everyone. It gives time to bowlers to recover and scope for batsmen to assess the situation.
On the injury and form of Yuvraj Singh
I'm not on a platform to assess his form. I'm not on television nor am I writing a column. I am not very sure about his injury. I don't think there is anything serious about it.
On his own form with the bat
In India, you get a lot of support when you do well and the people will try to pull you down when the team is not doing well. I am not really bothered. I am just trying to do to my best.
On the inclusion of Ishant Sharma & Ashok Dinda
You will have to wait and watch as we don’t announce the side before the match. Yes, Dinda is bowling well and we will decide according to the need of the team.