The pressure in the India vs England Test series is now starting to show, especially after what happened on Day 2 of the fourth Test in Manchester.
With England off to a flying start in reply to India’s 358, questions are being raised about India’s decisions on the field. And Ricky Ponting, never one to stay quiet, made sure his views were heard loud and clear.
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The legendary Aussie didn’t just question India’s execution, he called out the captaincy calls and bowling plans. While Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley were tearing apart the bowling with their 166-run partnership, Ponting was picking apart the strategy.
What tactics did Ponting find wrong during India’s bowling on Day 2?
Ponting said straight up that India looked “tactically off” during the early part of the day. His biggest issue was with Anshul Kamboj sharing the new ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
According to Ponting, Kamboj, playing his first Test, shouldn’t have been handed that role, especially in conditions that needed experience upfront.
“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.”
Most of Duckett’s early boundaries came on the leg side, behind square, taking full advantage of India’s poor line and fielding spread.
Ponting also pointed out something technical but important, Bumrah was bowling from the Anderson End, even though most of the wickets at Old Trafford had fallen from the Statham End. According to him, this was another clear miss in planning.
“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.”
How did India finish Day 2 of the Mancheser Test?
By the time the day ended, England were cruising at 225/2, trailing by just 133 runs. Both openers missed out on centuries, Duckett scored 94 and Crawley 84, but they had already done the damage.
MORE: Which Indian batters have scored a Test century at Old Trafford in Manchester?
Anshul Kamboj, despite the criticism, did pick up his first Test wicket when Duckett edged to Dhruv Jurel. But for most of the session, India’s bowlers looked unsure and defensive.
With England leading the series 2-1, a win in Manchester will hand them the series. For India and Shubman Gill, who is still very new to captaincy, this match is make-or-break. Another mistake-filled day could close the series before the teams even get to The Oval.