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Mahendra Singh Dhoni thinks James Anderson's conduct at Trent Bridge crossed a line

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MS Dhoni says James Anderson overstepped the mark with his behaviour towards Ravindra Jadeja and deserves to face an ICC charge.

India captain MS Dhoni says the tourists accused James Anderson of misconduct because they felt his behaviour towards Ravindra Jadeja crossed the line.

Following India’s complaint, England seamer Anderson has been charged under Level 3 of the ICC code of conduct, which could possibly lead to a four-match ban from Tests.

India say Anderson abused and pushed their all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja after the players had left the field at lunch-time on day two of the first Test at Trent Bridge.

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However, England skipper Alastair Cook says the charges are “a big mountain out of a molehill” and that the move is a “tactic” by India to unsettle, and possibly have banned, a key member of the home side.

But Dhoni said on Wednesday: “We felt what happened was wrong, so we went ahead with the charges.

"What we said was replicated by the press release which was sent out by the ICC, and we can’t really add anything over that.

“We talk a lot about the spirit of the game and everything, and the guidelines that need to be followed. There have been a few individuals from our side also in the past who have crossed that line and it’s a very difficult one.

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Cook coy on Anderson incident

“You can be aggressive, you can be vocal, and it’s fine. But there are certain guidelines that are laid and we should be following all of them. Apart from that, we can’t really say anything until the ICC decide what needs to be done.”

England reacted to the news by levelleing a charge of their own against Jadeja.

But Dhoni said: "It's not something that we have done, let's realise the fact.

"In a press conference you can ask me tough questions. I have the right to answer them or not to answer them, but in no way can I go and touch you or you can come and touch me.

"Frankly, usually we have been on the receiving end a lot of times where somebody starts something and we retaliate, and we get fined or different kinds of offences are levelled against us.

"It was good on Jadeja's part to not really do something.

"It could have gone a bit far, but I felt he addressed this in the most appropriate manner. Someone has to back off at the right time."

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Anderson charge surprises Atherton

The concern now is that there might be bad blood between the sides over the remainder of the series, with four Tests still to be played.

But Dhoni said: “I am not really worried about that. I would definitely like to make sure the remainder of the matches are played in the right spirit.

“At the same time, it should not be very docile. We want the players to be aggressive and to say a few things.

“But it’s very important not to cross the boundaries and it will be our responsibility to make sure it is played in the right spirit. We will try our best to maintain that.

“I will do what is in my control and then we will move ahead with that.”

Watch day one of the second Test between England and India live on Sky Sports 2 from 10am on Thursday.

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