NEW DELHI: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting didn’t hold back in his assessment of India’s tactics on Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, calling Shubman Gill’s side “tactically off” after England’s openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett dominated with a 166-run stand.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking to Sky Sports, Ponting criticised India’s field placements and bowling choices, especially during the opening hour when debutant Anshul Kamboj shared the new ball with Jasprit Bumrah.
“They got scored off on both sides of the wicket, didn’t they?” Ponting said bluntly. “I think they were tactically off as well. I don’t think Kamboj should have taken the new ball. I didn’t like that from the start.”
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Duckett took full advantage, smashing five of his first six boundaries on the leg-side behind square.“They were tactically wrong there,” Ponting continued. “Even watching now, Bumrah is bowling from the wrong end. Most of the wickets have fallen from the Statham End, and he’s done most of his work from the Anderson End. They were off execution-wise and tactically they’ve been off as well.”England ended Day 2 on 225/2 in reply to India’s 358, trailing by 133 runs. Duckett (94) and Crawley (84) both fell short of centuries, but their aggressive start ensured England held the momentum heading into Day 3. Kamboj, playing only due to injuries to India’s pace unit, picked up his maiden Test wicket when Duckett edged him to Dhruv Jurel.With the series at 2-1 in England’s favour, a win in Manchester would seal the series for Ben Stokes’ side. But Ponting’s pointed remarks suggest India’s strategy may need a serious rethink if they are to take this five-Test contest to a decider at The Oval.
