Rioting in London and Birmingham dominated all cricket talk at the Edgbaston ground on the eve of the third India versus England Test.

England skipper Andrew Strauss had to field quite a few inane questions. Later, it was Dhoni's turn. The India skipper was asked by a television journalist as to whether India will return the favour by playing the series if things turn worse.

Dhoni was reminded of the time Kevin Pietersen's team came back to play the two-Test series after the Mumbai terror attacks on November 26, 2008. Dhoni played dead straight as it were and did not say anything that would make headlines.

Another television journalist brought up how an England or Australian team would have made plans to leave for home if such an incident would have taken place in India.

Dhoni responded: "Let's not get into any controversy. We have had a good series. There are two more Tests to go. Let's concentrate on cricket and leave other things aside."

Earlier, Strauss said: "Let's divorce the cricket match from what is going on in the country which is clearly not our proudest hour as a country right at the moment."

Several journalists narrated during the day how they witnessed rioting. "From my window, I saw around 50 men, who were carrying bags apparently looted from a sports store," one said. Another journalist was surprised to see women rioters too as a shop near his apartment was ransacked.

Some India team members including Dhoni were shopping on Monday evening when they were informed of the disturbance. The team cancelled dinner plans and were advised by their security officer to stay indoors. The food at the hotel was good, stressed Dhoni.