Dhoni has made no secret of his demand of Indian groundsmen that visiting teams be given a stern spin test, but his faith in two quicks on the eve of the start of the series suggests the pitch might not be a "rank turner".
New England captain Alastair Cook insists the pressure is on India ahead of the start of the four-Test series.
The 27-year-old opener will lead his country on a permanent basis for the first time in Ahmedabad on Thursday.