Dhoni lauds team-mates after resounding win

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Ajinkya Rahane, promoted to open in the absence of the injured Rohit Sharma, recorded his maiden one-day international century and, coupled with an unbeaten 97 from Shikhar Dhawan, India cruised home with almost 20 overs to spare at Edgbaston.

The win saw India seal victory in the five-match series, as Dhoni's men took a 3-0 lead with just one game to come, at Headingley on Friday.

Earlier in the day, England had been bowled out for just 206 as Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2-14 from eight overs and Mohammed Shami 3-28 from 7.3 as India restricted their hosts to a score which proved to be well below par.

England problems against spin had been well documented in the build-up to the game, but Dhoni felt it was his quicker bowlers who set up the victory.

"Our performances are getting better and that's very important," he said in the post-match presentation.

"Our seamers bowled in the right areas and made the job easier for the spinners. It was crucial because I thought it wouldn't turn that much so it was important to get wickets with the new ball. The fast bowlers bowled really well.

"It's important that the openers get going, and if you get some kind of partnership going we can score a lot of runs in the middle overs and then slog well.

"Shikhar has been getting starts but it was important he got a big one and I'm glad he did in this game.

"Ajinkya has made the most of it, he plays authentic shots and I personally fell it's a slot that really suits him and then we can have Rohit in the middle order."

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