Mahendra Singh Dhoni is unrepentant about India's decision to make an allegation of Level 3 seriousness against England's James Anderson.

Dhoni was close at hand when an altercation took place between Anderson and India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as the players made their way into the Trent Bridge pavilion at lunch on day two of the first Investec Test.

The issue has overshadowed preparations for the second Test at Lord's after India sent their allegation to the International Cricket Council that Anderson "pushed and abused" his opponent.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has made it clear Anderson strongly denies the charge, has sent a Level 2 counter-allegation against Jadeja to the ICC and described the incident as "minor".

The India captain remains convinced, however, that his tourists have merely responded as they must to a serious matter.

"Definitely, that's what we think," he said.

"We felt what happened was wrong, so we went ahead with the charges."

Dhoni is adamant too that India have not made the allegation - as some, including his opposite number Alastair Cook, have suggested - merely in order to try to eliminate Anderson during the remainder of the series, as might be the case under a Level 3 penalty structure which extends to a four-Test ban.

"It's not something we have done ... let's realise the facts," said the India skipper.

"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.

"You can put it in whatever way possible, but there are certain things that need to be followed and should be followed."

Dhoni also congratulated Jadeja for his restraint.

He said: "I think it was good on Jadeja not to really do something.

"It could have gone a bit (too) far, but I felt he addressed it in the most appropriate manner.

"That's something we will have to learn and move forward. Somebody has to back off at the right time.

"At the end of the day, we play a sport and a lot of people look up to us. There is a lot of responsibility on us."

Dhoni concedes his team have not always been blameless in inevitable occasional Test match confrontations.

"We talk a lot about the spirit of the game and the guidelines that need to be followed," he said.

"There have been a few individuals from our side in the past that have crossed that line.

"You can be aggressive; you can be vocal - that's fine. But there are certain guidelines that are laid (down), and we should be following all of them."

He is content that, whatever Anderson's fate, relations between the teams will not be soured for the rest of the summer.

"I'm not really worried about that," said Dhoni.

"What I would like to do is make sure the remainder of the matches are played in the right spirit. At the same time, it shouldn't be very docile.

"We want the players to be aggressive; we want them to say a few things. But at the same time it's very important not to cross the boundaries.

"I will do what is in my control."