Dhoni leads India against England in cricket Test

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni made a fine fifty as the tourists fought back to be 205 for eight against England at tea on the first day of the third Test at Edgbaston here Wednesday. Dhoni, 61 not out at the break, rescued India from the depths of 111 for seven and found a useful ally in Praveen Kumar (26) during an eighth-wicket run-a-ball stand of 84. England, already 2-0 up, were though still on top in a match where victory would see them win the four-match series and also replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table. But India, yet to make 300 this series, were at least showing some fight. Dhoni, whose previous best score this series was 28 in the opener at Lord's, did what he does best when launching James Anderson for a straight six and also clubbed Tim Bresnan high over long-on. Kumar was no 'silent' partner, driving and cover-driving Graeme Swann for two fours in successive balls before hitting a fine straight six off the off-spinner. But his innings came to an end when, trying to hook Bresnan, he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Matt Prior for the second time, England successfully challenged Australian umpire Steve Davis's original not out call. Bresnan led England's attack with four wickets for 62 runs in 20 overs. India, yet to make 300 this series, endured another top-order failure as they slumped to 75 for four at lunch with Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar managing just one run between them. Meanwhile Rahul Dravid was out for 22 to what turned out to be the last ball before lunch. India then lost their next three wickets for just 19 runs in 39 balls. Suresh Raina was clean bowled by Anderson and it was not long before 92 for five was transformed into 111 for seven. Venkatsai Laxman struck six elegant boundaries but, not for the first time this series, his vulnerability against the short ball was exposed when he didn't get over a pull shot against Bresnan and holed out straight to Stuart Broad at long leg. Amit Mishra was then caught behind off Broad. Earlier, Broad struck first ball to remove Sehwag for a golden duck. Sehwag, playing his first match of the series after shoulder surgery and one of the world's most dynamic opening batsman, tried to sway out of the way of a short ball from Broad but gloved through to Prior. Davis initially said not out but his fellow Australian Rod Tucker, the third umpire, ruled in England's favour. Dravid, back in his familar number three spot after making a century while opening in Gambhir's absence during a 319-run second Test loss at Trent Bridge, drove Broad for two fours in successive balls. But first-change Bresnan ended a stand worth 51 when left-hander Gambhir inside-edged onto his stumps for 38. Gambhir's exit brought in Tendulkar who, as he has done all series, received a standing ovation as he walked to the crease in pursuit of an unprecedented 100th international hundred. But Tendulkar made just one before he was lured into playing a Broad delivery outside off-stump he might have left and edged to third slip Anderson.