All forms of international and domestic cricket have been suspended since March due to the Coronavirus pandemic across the globe.
The deadly outbreak has allowed former, current cricketers to reflect on their careers and thus every now and then fans get to hear an interesting anecdote.
Recently, former England opener Nick Compton opened up about his debut Test series against India in 2012 and how he was left awestruck by the big stalwarts of Indian cricket.
See Also: "COVID-19 test is a waste of money," Nick Compton slammed for an ignorant tweet
Speaking on the Edges and Sledges Cricket Podcast, Compton said: “I think coming to India, I’d heard some of the banter. There was Kevin Pietersen who had played at the IPL - he knew Virat Kohli really well. And then of course, there were the legends, the Tendulkar, the Dhoni, etc. It was a very proud moment.”
“India has been a country, people who know me, know that it is my second home. I have spent a lot of time here, travelling and doing photography. Also growing home, going to many batting camps, learning how to play spin in Mumbai, absolutely falling in love with the people and culture. I really enjoyed it. Going there for my first Test series was a dream come true.
“Because you know how much Indian people love their cricketers and how much they support the game. It was amazing. Coming out and taking guard and looking up and suddenly I am looking at Tendulkar, Dhoni, Sehwag, Kohli - you had to pinch yourself. I almost wanted to take their autographs and shake their hands.
“I had to take guard and face the first ball. I remember thinking to myself. There are four Tests in the series. It would be great to experience all the four Tests. I thought that would be the best experience for me. So I tried to spend as much time as I could in the middle and figure out what role I could play for the team,” he explained.
Compton, who made his debut in Ahmedabad Test, finished the series with 208 runs at an average of 34.66.
It is pertinent to mention here that England won the 2012 Test series 2-1. While India emerged victorious in the first Test in Ahmedabad, the visitors bounced back to clinch the next two games in Mumbai and Kolkata respectively. The fourth and final Test in Nagpur ended in a draw.
