IND vs ENG: Smog marked Villain as Harry Brook gives Bizarre excuse for Kolkata defeat

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England's Harry Brook came up with a ludicrous excuse following his team's dressing down in the first T20I in Kolkata.

Reflecting on England's lackluster batting display against India at Eden Gardens, Harry Brook admitted that challenging conditions, including "smog," made it difficult for the visiting batters to perform.

England managed to post only 132 runs after being asked to bat first, with skipper Jos Buttler leading the charge with a valiant 68. Brook contributed 17 runs but couldn't steady the innings after early setbacks.

Speaking ahead of the second T20I in Chennai, Brook highlighted the impact of poor visibility on their performance.

"Chakaravarthy is an exceptionally good bowler," Brook said about India's spinner, who played a crucial role in dismantling England's batting lineup. "But with the smog the other night, it was a lot harder to pick. Hopefully, the air is a bit clearer here, and we can see the ball a bit easier."

Brook, renowned for his prowess in red-ball cricket and boasting a T20 World Cup title, admitted that spin remains a challenge for him in the shortest format.

"Facing spin in T20 cricket is probably the hardest thing in the game, especially because I always get out trying to absolutely smack it. Maybe I've got to rein in a little bit, but we'll see," he added. He also reflected on his approach against spin.

"I think I do have a method. It's just trying to do it consistently and more often. I come in the middle order, so the first few balls I face are usually off-spin. If I get out early, it's usually against a spinner, so maybe my stats aren't as good against spin, but there's always going to be criticism in some parts," Brook continued.

As England gears up for the second T20I in Chennai, Brook is hopeful for clearer conditions and a stronger performance against India's formidable spin attack. England has already replaced Gus Atkinson with Brydon Carse, while Jacob Bethell is also doubtful for the Chennai encounter.