India honours the spirit of cricket

Congratulations to Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni for his sporting decision to allow Ian Bell to continue batting after a controversial run out appeal ( Sport , 1 August), particularly since the match appeared to be going beyond India at that point (in no small part due to Bell's batting). But there is a spirit of cricket more important than winning a series, and Mr Dhoni has enhanced Anglo-Indian friendship by showing it. Dr Martin Treacy Cardigan, Ceredigion • Why didn't Bell repeat MS Dhoni's gesture by inviting the bowler to bowl straight, then shouldering arms to be out, bowled, on his tea-time score of 137? Keith Miller did this in 1948 against Essex – have we forgotten so much so soon? Andy Bebington Croydon, Surrey • Bell's failure to acknowledge Dhoni publicly when he resumed his innings was both ungracious and unsporting. Allan Friswell Cowling, North Yorkshire • A splendid day's cricket was tarnished by the unjustified booing of the Indian team as they took the field after tea. A simple PA announcement in the interval would have turned any jeers into cheers. Alan Hurndall Dronfield, Derbyshire • So Bell is recalled after being correctly given out, while Harbhajan Singh – one of Stuart Broad's hat-trick victims – is not recalled, although he should not have been given out lbw after clearly edging the ball into his pads. John Wardle Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne