Ravi Shastri and Kevin Pietersen lashed out at India for losing control on Day 4

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri and ex-England cricketer Kevin Pietersen lashed out at the Indian team for their defensive show on day 4 of the rearranged fifth Test.

India were in a commanding position in the decider Test. Still, a mini-collapse with the bat and an off-colour bowling display on the fourth day let the visitors lose control over the match. 

In a discussion on Sky Sports, Ravi Shastri and Kevin Pietersen reasoned why India lost control over the Test and how England took the driving seat in the game. 

Shastri reckoned that India should've batted for at least two sessions on the flat Edgbaston deck. The former Indian allrounder also admitted to being disappointed with India's defensive batting in the second session.   

"I think it was disappointing, to say the least, because they could have batted England out of this contest. They needed to bat two sessions and I thought they were defensive, they were timid today, especially after lunch. Even after they had lost those wickets, they could have taken some chances. Runs were important at that stage of the game and I thought they just went into a shell, lost those wickets too quickly, and gave enough time for England to bat today," Shastri said.

On the other hand, Pietersen criticized the on-field tactics of India's stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, as it let the English batters off the hook. The English legend also accused Bumrah of not utilising reverse swing to the fullest and blamed him for his ordinary field placements. 

"I don't think (Jasprit) Bumrah got his tactics right today at all, and I say that with the greatest deal of respect. There is no way with a reverse swinging ball that he should make it that easy for the batter, because the batter is trying so hard to decipher which way that ball is swinging," Pietersen said. "They had long off and long on, and that was pure madness. Even for the last 15-20 minutes of the day's play, pull them right in, say 'Jonny, if you're good enough to hit me over the head, please do it," he added. 

Pietersen, who played 104 Tests for England, advised India to be slightly proactive with regards to their field placements on the fifth day. However, the former England captain stressed that England would happily take it if India continue committing such mistakes on the field. 

"I hope they don't do it tomorrow morning, but for England's sake, absolutely, let them spread them as far as they want," Pietersen concluded.

As it stands, England need 119 runs to win with seven wickets in hand to emerge victorious in the Test match. However, with Root and Bairstow unbeaten at 76 and 72 respectively, the hosts will fancy their chances of winning this intriguing Test match.