Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan hit out at Alastair Cook, say poor tactics costing England

England's poor performance in the ongoing fourth Test have got tongues wagging with former captains Kevin Pietersen and Michael Vaughan criticising skipper Alastair Cook's tactics. They say his poor captaincy has allowed India to take control of proceedings at Mumbai.

England posted 400 in the first innings and in reply India looked to be in trouble at 364 for seven, only for Virat Kohli and Jayant Yadav to take the game away from the visitors. That the hosts could move to a position of dominance was due to poor captaincy by Cook who remained defensive throughout.

"This England Test team is so close to being a very good side and the next step in their development is to allow the emerging players to become the senior core of the side. Sometimes captains and leaders have to evolve to the changing circumstances of the teams they manage. Alastair Cook could stay on as captain for another year or so but if that happens he needs to allow other players to lead the team", said Michael Vaughan as quoted by the Telegraph.

"It is so obvious Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler are the new leadership group with strong cricket brains and are good under pressure."

Former batsman Kevin Pietersen too voiced his concerns about Cook's tactics. He took to Twitter to express his unhappiness on choices made on the field by the Three Lions captain.

"Watching #INDvENG all morning. Cook's captaincy?

That was not all; Pietersen sent another tweet taking a dig at Cook.

"Rotated bowlers more! Taken the new ball and have a spinner bowl with it! India right back in this game now cos of poor captaincy!