Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria said the wicket of Mahendra Singh Dhoni was a very vital for his team on the second day of the first Test at the Ferozshah Kotla in Delhi on Friday.
Dhoni and VVS Laxman put on 115 runs for the sixth wicket to rescue India after they were reduced to 93 for 5. Dhoni was caught behind off Kaneria for a brisk knock 57, while Laxman finished unbeaten on 57 at close on the second day.
India finished the day on 228 for six in reply to Pakistan's 231 in the first innings.
"Sachin Tendulkar's run out and disturbing Dhoni-Laxman partnership was important," the Pakistan leg-spinner said.
"Dhoni's wicket was a good breakthrough, especially when they have a long tail. Dhoni is in good form and aggressive player who keep the scoreboard ticket. So claiming his wicket has helped the team a lot."
Kaneria extracted a lot of turn, but could only manage a single wicket in his 17 overs. He, however, believes that he will have to play a bigger role in the second innings.
"On the fourth and fifth day it will be difficult for batting and being a spinner I will try and win the match for Pakistan," he said.
The 26-year-old leggie, the only Hindu in the Pakistan team, believes the match is evenly poised and any team could go on to win from this stage.
"This is a five-day match and every day is different with one team up one day and another the next day. Today it is balanced. We have comeback in the match after the breakthough. Tomorrow morning we will hope to do well."
Kaneria believes a target of around the 300-run mark would be very difficult to achieve on this pitch.
"If we give them a target of around 290 or 300 we can win the match," he said.
"There has not been much sunlight on these two days so wicket has not broken yet. It could be difficult to play spin tomorrow. We will like to come and bowl them out in the morning tomorrow."
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