Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting strongly criticized Team India’s poor execution and strategy with the ball during the second day of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. India, who posted 358 in their first innings, failed to capitalize with the new ball and allowed England’s openers to dominate early.
Missed Opportunity With the New Ball
According to Ponting, India made a crucial mistake right from the beginning by giving the new ball to debutant Anshul Kamboj instead of experienced pacer Mohammed Siraj. The conditions may not have favoured India as much as they did England, but their bowlers struggled with line and length, especially in the opening overs.
England’s opening pair, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, took full advantage of India’s erratic bowling. They built a strong 166-run partnership, putting pressure on India’s stand-in captain Shubman Gill, who was visibly troubled by the lack of control from his bowlers.
Ponting Criticises Team India’s Tactics
Speaking on Sky Sports, Ponting didn’t hold back. He said, “They got scored off on both sides of the wicket, didn’t they? You know, we broadly talked then about how they bowled to Pope. I think they were tactically off as well. I don’t think Kamboj should’ve taken the new ball. Yeah, I didn’t like that from the start. And he was, I mean, and Duckett’s five of his first six boundaries were behind square leg side. So they got it tactically wrong there.”
He pointed out that Kamboj was punished early in the innings, while Jasprit Bumrah, though economical, was bowling from the less productive Anderson End.
Bumrah Also in the Line of Fire
Ponting also questioned Bumrah’s end selection, “I think even watching now, Bumrah, I think, is bowling from the wrong end. All the wickets, most of the wickets, have fallen from the Statham end. And he’s done most of his work bowling from the Anderson end. So they were off execution-wise. And I think tactically have been off a little bit as well.”
England in Control
By the end of Day 2, England were well-positioned at 225/2, trailing India by just 133 runs. Duckett missed a well-deserved century, falling for 94 after being caught behind off Anshul Kamboj who claimed his maiden Test wicket. Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja managed to dismiss Crawley for 84, forcing him into a false shot that led to an edge taken by KL Rahul.
Despite a bright start with the bat, India’s inability to apply pressure with the ball has left them on the back foot as the Test progresses.
