Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Shastri criticise India for defensive day four

It was a terrific day for England, but for India it was one to forget with both bat and ball. And both Shastri and Pietersen had the visitors in their sights when they reflected on what they had seen

Ravi Shastri and Kevin Pietersen were damning in their analysis of the Indian effort as England took a giant leap towards a record chase at Edgbaston.

Set 378 to win the fifth Test of this drawn-out series - after their guests had lost seven second-innings wickets for 92 runs - England ended day four 119 short, with seven wickets of their own in hand.

Joe Root will resume on Tuesday on 76 not out, with Jonny Bairstow unbeaten at the other end on 72, and the home side will be favourites to complete the pursuit of the biggest target in their Test history.

It was a terrific day for England, but for India it was one to forget with both bat and ball. And both Shastri and Pietersen had the visitors in their sights when they reflected on what they had seen.

^{Kevin Pietersen, left, and Ravi Shastri were critical of India [Getty Images]}

Speaking about his country's batting display, former India head coach Shastri said on Sky Sports: "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."

Pietersen, meanwhile, was critical of captain Jasprit Bumrah's strategy in the field, saying England were too easily able to rotate the strike, as Bumrah left his fielders deep.

"I don't think Bumrah got his tactics right today at all, and I say that with the greatest deal of respect," Pietersen said.

"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.

^{England need 119 more runs to win on day five [Getty Images]}

"When it's reverse swinging at 90mph, the nicest place to bat is at the non-strikers end, and the ability to get to the non-strikers end as easily as they did this afternoon, it's too easy."

If India do not go more aggresive, Pietersen suggested, England will romp to victory on Tuesday.

"They had long off and long on, and that was pure madness. For half an hour 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.'

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

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