ENG v IND 2018: Nick Compton foresees a competitive series but gives England the edge over India

Compton said Virat Kohli needs to be more cautious with his frequent chopping and changing in playing XI.

Nick Compton with Moeen Ali | GETTY

The questions kept increasing after the team India were knocked out at Lord's against England, they had to reply. They retorted in the next game with an outstanding display of cricket in all three departments, making them win their first game of the series. 

Recover from the initial loss overseas is very tough for any visiting the team in the current cricketing era. But the way team India showed fight, it has made Nick Compton excited for the upcoming games. He believes the series is going to be very competitive and both the teams would throw everything while vying for the trophy. 

However, the 35-year-old has already made predictions of the on-going series' outcome. He feels the tourists have very slender chances of winning the series.

India's 203-run victory has restored hopes in Virat Kohli-led team. They have a chance to make history as no international team since Don Bradman-led Australian team of Ashes 1936-37 has fought back and won the series after by down by 2-0.

"I don't think England are out of this series just yet and winning three Tests on the bounce here is very tough for any visiting side. There will be some good, competitive cricket in the remaining matches, but I do not see India winning the series," Compton said, as quoted by the Press Trust of India.

The Trent Bridge Test seemed to have fixed a lot of problems for team India. Their batsmen scored runs and two bowlers --Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah-- bagged five-wicket hauls in the game.

Recently, veteran India cricketer Harbhajan Singh had stood with Indian skipper Kohli's continuous chopping and changing in the Indian playing XI.

Compton pointed it out. He talked about Cheteshwar Pujar being axed from the side during the first Test and Ajinkya Rahane also had to sit out from the first two Test matches in South Africa because of a poor record in previous games. Virat had to face outburst for his decision to replace Rahane with Rohit.

He said, "They (Pujara and Rahane) should be allowed to grow into stronger personalities in that dressing room. Now that Pujara and Rahane have scored runs, things will get easier for them.

"But in terms of selection, Virat makes too many changes. For example, it was a baffling decision to leave Pujara out of the first Test and it showed poor insight from the team management to allow that decision.

"When Virat makes so many changes as captain, it cannot always be easy for other players, like Pujara or Rahane for that matter. They do not have alpha-male personalities and such players can sometimes struggle to cope with extreme methods."

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 27 Aug, 2018

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