In a surprising turn of events, England's vice-captain Harry Brook pointed to the smog in Kolkata as a factor that impacted his ability to pick Varun Chakravarthy's spin during the first India vs England T20I.

The hosts took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after restricting England to just 132 runs, with Chakravarthy's impressive spell of 3/23 playing a pivotal role in India's victory.

Read More : [WATCH] Varun Chakravarthy's Double-Wicket Over Puts England on the Backfoot in First T20I INDvsENG

Speaking after the match, Brook acknowledged Chakravarthy's skills but also noted the challenges posed by the hazy conditions:

"Chakravarthy is an exceptionally good bowler, 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 managed 17 runs in the match, but his dismissal along with skipper Jos Buttler's (68) left England struggling to maintain momentum. Chakravarthy's twin strike in the 8th over derailed England's efforts, and wickets continued to fall thereafter.

Brook also reflected on his broader challenges against spin in T20 cricket, admitting that his aggressive approach often leads to quick dismissals:

"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."

While acknowledging that he has a method for dealing with spin, Brook emphasized the need for consistency in applying it:

"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."

The second T20I between India and England will be held on January 25, and Brook is hopeful for better conditions as England looks to bounce back in the series.