India's one-day series win over England should not be regarded as revenge for the side's humiliating defeats to their rivals a few months ago, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has said. The Indian captain added he was disappointed at England's behaviour on the field, saying the strategy to intimidate the opposition was clearly not paying dividends.
"Revenge is a very strong word and should not be used in sport," Dhoni told reporters after the world champions scored a five-wicket win in Mohali on Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in the five-match series. "On one hand we talk about the spirit of the game and on the other we talk about revenge. It should not be like that."
Young batsman Ajinkya Rahane top-scored with 91 as India surpassed England's challenging 298-4 with four balls to spare after Dhoni smashed two boundaries in the final over. The series win came after a disastrous tour of England in July-September when India were blanked 4-0 in the Tests to concede the number one spot and also lost the one-dayers 3-0.
"I am quite happy with the performance of the team when it comes to the one-day format. Victory is always a good feeling," said Dhoni, who led India to World Cup glory in April. India won without seven top stars, including Sachin Tendulkar, who were part of the team that beat Sri Lanka in the World Cup final in Mumbai.
Dhoni, however, warned England to tone down their aggressive behaviour on the field, which earned the wrath of the umpires during the second game in New Delhi on Monday. That match was marred by verbal exchanges between Indian batsmen and England's fielders, and the tension also appeared to spill over on the field in Mohali.
"There were lots of gestures flowing around in the field when it came to the England side," Dhoni said. "But I don't think that strategy is working. "It's not only about 'giving it' to the opposition. You have to be fair. "If our players are saying something to the opposition, which happens at times, I don't want them to get really personal or say things that are not within the guidelines.
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