Kolkata: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni ahead of the third Test match between India and England said that he was hoping for big contribution from the opening pair of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.

Dhoni on the eve of the match said, “We all know about the ability of our openers. If both of them can score in the same innings it will be a big plus for us. We don’t want to put extra pressure on them but back them for the game they are used to play.”

Dhoni said that the first innings is very crucial and getting a good start is essential for a team to put a good score on the board.

“The first innings in any Test match is very crucial as it sets up the game. We have seen the game change a lot in the last two days in India. So it is very important to be at par in the first two-three days and assess the pitch,” he said.

Dhoni also defended his decision of asking for rank-turner. He said that the spinners always play a crucial role in sub-continent and whatever the result maybe India should stick to those kind of wickets which is their speciality.

Dhoni said that the team will stick to the turning tracks as that is their strength and that's what home advantage means.

"As I said when you come to India, you want to play on the turning tracks. Irrespective of the results -- we lost the last game -- we want to play on a wicket that suits the sub-continent conditions. That's what it is," he said.

Dhoni explained that rank-turners provides the challenge for teams to test themselves in difficult conditions.

“I feel the challenges are when you play on tracks that assist the spin. It does not matter if you lose a few games or win the series," he said.

By Indian Sports News Network