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India’s men’s cricket team are set to begin the final Test match of the series against England from July 31, at The Kia Oval. Trailing 2-1, India go into this match after a thrilling draw in Manchester, with the aim of winning the match and levelling up the series 2-2.
In a candid conversation with RevSportz, former England cricketer Nick Compton spoke about the series so far, England’s Bazball approach, the ‘Handshake Controversy’, Jasprit Bumrah at The Oval, and much more.
Firstly, I would love to know your thoughts on the series so far. It has been quite a heated contest. Both teams have been performing superbly. What kind of advertisement for Test cricket do you think this has been?
Nick Compton: Yeah, look, I think firstly it has been a great advertisement. Test cricket has been under scrutiny for some time now, hasn’t it? But it has a habit of producing really exciting series now and then, which keeps the appetite going – particularly for the purists and those who still deeply believe in the format.
We look back at some of the iconic series over the years, be it the Ashes or the India series I was part of in 2012–13 – those moments remind us of the richness of Test cricket. For me, it was always the form I wanted to succeed in, and I still believe it’s the most exciting form to watch.
What had become concerning was that many Test matches weren’t even lasting four days. But in this series, we’ve had 20 days of high-quality cricket. That’s something we haven’t seen in a while.
That said, the pitches have been quite flat. Conditions have heavily favoured batting. There’s also a broader point to be made about technique. Across Test cricket, batting techniques perhaps aren’t what they used to be. I don’t blame anyone, but T20 has certainly influenced this shift. Players are now more focused on aggressive scoring, and the emphasis on technical defence has decreased compared to the era of Rahul Dravid or Jacques Kallis – real technicians.
These pitches have allowed players to score more consistently. If the wickets had more spice in them, we may have seen much lower scores.
This has benefited both teams. [Zak] Crawley, for instance, doesn’t have the technique to handle the moving ball, and his stats reflect that. On the other hand, someone like Shubman Gill had question marks over his overseas record before this series. He has improved since the last time.
It’s been a very even contest. There were concerns on both sides, especially with the bowling. India’s over-reliance on Bumrah was evident – he was brilliant in the first match and a half but has looked less effective since. Then you have someone like Jofra Archer, who adds X-factor but is still getting into rhythm.
So, both teams have strong batting but slightly weaker bowling units. Overall, it’s been a fascinating and tightly contested series. I think India will be disappointed that they didn’t win key moments in the first three matches, especially the one at Lord’s.
You’ve summed up the series perfectly. One thought on Bazball? This has been a huge talking point. Even Ollie Pope mentioned in a press conference that they’re now playing “Bazball with brains.” What do you make of this evolved approach?
Compton: Yeah, Bazball has been widely discussed. When a new regime – like McCullum and Stokes – takes charge, they try to instil a certain style and dynamic.
Ben Stokes might naturally be drawn to a different type of cricketer than someone like Joe Root or Alastair Cook was. Once they decided that this aggressive brand of cricket is their identity, they had to test the limits of what the team could do.
Initially, it was very much Bazball without brains. You had even Joe Root playing reverse sweeps and scoops. You’d think, “What is going on?” But I see that phase as a necessary period of experimentation.
You know how, sometimes, you need to burn your mouth a few times before you figure out the perfect temperature for your hot chocolate? That’s what this was, pushing the limits, seeing what’s possible.
Within that, there were definitely some brainless moments over the last two years. But now they’ve begun to adapt and learn from those. Test cricket, in my view, is about winning in all conditions. The best teams win everywhere. That’s why I was disappointed when India moved on from Cheteshwar Pujara too early.
You can’t have ten Pujaras in a lineup – that would bore people – but you need someone like that to anchor the innings when things aren’t easy. Flat pitches flatter flamboyance, but when the ball moves around, you need someone who can survive the storm. That’s why I value players like Cook and Pujara. They provide balance.
Do you think Kohli also had a few more years left in him?
Compton: Definitely. Kohli’s ambition, hunger, and intensity have always stood out. The challenge is maintaining that hunger across formats – Test cricket, ODIs, T20s, IPL.
It’s nearly impossible to stay equally hungry for all formats. Maybe the management could’ve helped him by managing his workload better, giving him time off. I don’t know what internal conversations were had, but I would’ve liked to see him play another two years.
I thought he’d definitely chase down 10,000 Test runs. Maybe we haven’t seen the last of him. Maybe there’s a swansong still to come.
I’ve also heard that the newer Indian setup has its own methods – maybe it didn’t allow him to function in the environment he preferred. Sometimes, new regimes want complete control, and that may not have suited someone like Kohli.
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I was coming to the recent handshake controversy in the last game. What are your thoughts? Did India do the right thing by continuing for the centuries? How do you view Ben Stokes’ reaction?
Compton: Yeah, I think India did the right thing. Ben Stokes isn’t the ultimate authority on how cricket should be played. India had every right to stay out there and make England work for it.
They’re 2-1 down in the series with one match left. Why should they make things easy? If I were India, I’d do exactly the same—and I’d smile while doing it!
From England’s side, I understand. Five days of cricket is exhausting. Bodies are tired, tempers are frayed. But India’s objective is to win the next Test, and if keeping England out there helps fatigue their bowlers, then so be it.
And let’s not forget, if you’re on 90-something, of course you want to reach your hundred. Test centuries don’t come easily.
As for Stokes’ comment – saying you want to score it against Harry Brook? – it’s just 10 runs. That doesn’t take away from the rest of the work done in the innings.
I think it’s been overplayed. Everyone needs to move on now. Maybe Stokes should’ve shaken Jadeja’s hand, but in two hours’ time, he probably would’ve anyway.
How do you look at the upcoming Oval Test? Do you see Kuldeep Yadav making it to the XI? He’s a wicket-taker, and with the Indian batting already doing well, do you think it makes sense to include him?
Compton: India has to treat this as a one-off Test. They need to take 20 wickets to win. The Oval is generally a good pitch for batting, although it does a bit up front.
Right now, it’s all about stamina and mental strength. Bowlers are running on fumes. So, the key is picking someone who can have the most impact.
Kuldeep gives them variety. You’ve got Jadeja, then the left-arm wrist spin of Kuldeep. Even if England have mostly seen him in white-ball formats, red ball is different. Kuldeep could be that wildcard.
Siraj really needs to step up. I was surprised he didn’t take the new ball. That’s something I often find curious with India’s Test selection – there’s not always continuity. Even under Kohli, the team kept changing.
Look at England. Root is always No. 4, the openers are settled. In India, Gill plays at No. 3, then someone else, then he comes back. It’s hard for players to find rhythm or confidence.
Same with KL Rahul in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – he was shuffled around a lot, and that’s bound to affect a player’s performance.
Yes, I agree. It happened with KL Rahul, and it impacted his confidence as well.
Compton: Exactly. I’m not making excuses – Rahul has underperformed at times. But he’s clearly a talented player. Some players just mature later. I think he’s now beginning to figure out his Test game.
And with players like Karun Nair, I felt India moved on too quickly. England wouldn’t have dropped someone like that as quickly.
Sai Sudharsan is a promising player, no doubt. But again, consistency in selection builds trust and confidence.
Do you think Jasprit Bumrah should play the final game? Before the series, it was said he would play only three matches. But given how crucial this match is, do you think he should push through?
Compton: That’s up to him, really. I don’t think he’s injured, maybe just sore or fatigued. But these are the moments you live for as a cricketer.
How many chances do you get to play a five-Test series in England? This could be his last opportunity given his injury history.
Of course, you want to manage players carefully. But if this isn’t one of the biggest Test matches in recent Indian history, then what are you saving yourself for? He should take whatever treatment he needs, push through, and get out there.
India really needs him. If he plays and delivers, this could be a huge result. Drawing the series 2-2 in England, with a new captain and coach – that would be massive.
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