Australian legend Ricky Ponting did not hold back as he slammed India’s bowling plans against England on Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Batting seemed much more difficult when India were bowled out for 358 in the first innings, with only three batters managing to cross the 50-run mark.

However, Ben Duckett (94 off 100) and Zak Crawley (84 off 113) made a mockery of the Indian bowling attack, adding 166 runs for the opening wicket in just 195 balls. Their whirlwind display propelled England to 225/2 in 46 overs at stumps.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Ponting didn’t mince his words as he questioned India’s field placements and bowling plans.

“They got scored off on both sides of the wicket, didn’t they? 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,” Ponting said.

Ponting highlighted how Gill got the basics wrong while bowling Jasprit Bumrah from the wrong end.

“They were tactically wrong there. 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,” he added.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also ripped into India’s dismal show, saying that the visitors will need the “Virat mentality” to stage a comeback in the Test match.

“The series will be decided on Day Three. If England have a great day, I think they’re winning this Test match and that’s the series done and dusted,” Vaughan said in a conversation with Dinesh Karthik on Cricbuzz.

“India and Shubman have to arrive on Day Three with that Virat mentality. We have to win the day. If they win tomorrow, the game is alive. If they lose, the series is gone.”

Karthik echoed Vaughan’s sentiment as he said: “Those are big words and I think it’s a very fair observation as well. Because walking into day three, as they call it, the moving day, you would almost think the series hangs in the balance on that day. If India wants to stay alive, they need to have a good day with the ball."