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'Will keep batting at No.6 till Jadeja gets used to Test cricket'
MS Dhoni was a satisfied man after his team beat Australia in the first Test. Bikash Mohapatra says his decision to persist with spinners and bat up the order played in India's favour.
Having suffered a demoralising home defeat against England last year, India got off to a good start in 2013 with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Australia in the opening Test at the MA Chidambaram stadium, in Chennai, on Tuesday.
And no one was more satisfied than MS Dhoni
His demand for dead turning tracks may have backfired against England, but held him, and his team, in good stead in Chennai.
"It is nothing that has changed," explained Dhoni.
'Spin is our strength and we do well on turning tracks'
"What is your specialty remains your specialty. Spin is our strength and we do well on turning tracks," he added.
The captain had words of appreciation for his spinners.
"I'm glad that in this particular Test, Ashwin bowled a very good length and was very consistent.
"Bhajji (Harbhajan) was a bit tentative in the first innings, but in the second he came out very strongly.
"He was very consistent with his length.
"So, overall, it's a very good sign for us in the spin department and I'm very happy with our bowling," he said.
'They (Australia) went with their strength'
India's captain admitted that the fact Australia went into the game with three seamers, and just one spinner, worked to his team's advantage.
"Well, they went with their strength. They rely on their fast bowlers and at the start of the series they wanted to go with what their strength was," explained Dhoni.
"After four days of cricket, maybe, Michael (Clarke) would have thought that maybe it would have been better if they'd gone in with another spinner. But at times it's easier to decide on these things once the Test match is over. Because then you have the whole result in front of you," he added.
'It was a very different innings, a special one for me'
Dhoni, who came up in the batting order, was also happy with his own contribution in the match -- his 224 in the Indian first innings ensured his side a vital lead.
"It was a very different innings, a special one for me," he said, adding he would continue to bat at No. 6.
"Till (Ravindra) Jadeja is playing, and gets comfortable, I've got to bat at No. 6," explained Dhoni, adding, "Jadeja would have to improve slightly when it comes to his batting, but at least he has the talent to get it going. Once he gets used to Test cricket, and starts to do really well, we'll think about changing the order again."