Dhoni blasted a 66-ball 72 laced with seven fours and two sixes, to take his team past the 250-run mark after they were reduced to 119-4 in 26.2 overs.
Dhoni featured in two crucial partnerships --- first adding 55 runs with Suresh Raina and then 96 runs with Ravindra Jadeja for the fifth and sixth wickets respectively.
Middle-order batsman Raina also cracked a well-paced half-century off 78 balls, studded with two sixes and a couple of fours, to initially steady the innings along with Dhoni having come into bat at No 5.
However, it was in the last 10 overs which gave the hosts the impetus as Dhoni and allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, amassed 108 runs, to put the team in a comfortable position after they decided to bat first.
Steven Finn was the top wickettaker for England as he took two wickets for 51 runs, while James Tredwell bowled really well, taking one wicket for 48 runs.
Jade Dernbach and Chris Woakes were expensive but snapped two and one wicket to contribute to the team.
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Earlier, India had a tottering start as they were reduced to 18 for two by the English pace duo of Finn and Dernbach.
Gautam Gambhir (8) and Ajinkya Rahane (4) paid the price for their poor footwork as both were cleaned bowled by Dernbach and Finn respectively.
While, Gambhir failed to defend an incoming delivery from Finn, Rahane tried to play too away from the body, leaving a huge gap which was breached by the inswinger from Dernbach.
Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh then tried to steady the ship and added 53 runs off 65 balls for the third wicket.