England’s middle-order batter Harry Brook reflected on his underwhelming performance in the first T20I against India, attributing some of his struggles to the smoggy conditions in Kolkata. Brook was dismissed for 17 off 14 balls during England’s seven-wicket loss at Eden Gardens. As the team gears up for the second match in Chennai, he expressed hope for clearer conditions to improve visibility and performance.
Struggles Against Spin and Challenging Conditions
India’s spinners—Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Axar Patel—proved to be a formidable challenge for England on the turning track. The trio combined for impressive figures of 12-1-67-5, dismantling the visiting side’s batting lineup. Brook, bowled by Chakaravarthy via bat and pad, admitted that the conditions were far from ideal.
“Chakaravarthy is an exceptional bowler,” Brook said. “But with the smog the other night, it was a lot harder to pick. Hopefully, the air is a bit clearer here in Chennai, and we can see the ball better.”
Adapting to Spin: Brook’s Ongoing Challenge
Despite his impressive record in Test cricket, including a career-best 317 against Pakistan and a brief stint as the world’s top-ranked batter, Brook acknowledged his need to improve against spin in T20s.
“Facing spin in T20 cricket is one of the hardest challenges in the game, especially since I often get out trying to hit big shots,” Brook admitted. “Maybe I need to tone it down a little, but it’s all about finding consistency. I do have a method, but executing it more often is the key.”
Brook explained that batting in the middle order often means facing spinners right away, which has impacted his stats. However, he remains optimistic about refining his approach.
Drawing Inspiration from IPL Success
Brook recalled his unbeaten century for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2023, where he successfully tackled Varun Chakaravarthy. “I was planning to watch that innings again before practice, but my phone wasn’t working. I’ll definitely revisit it later,” he said.
A New Role as Vice-Captain
Now serving as England’s vice-captain, Brook shared how head coach Brendon McCullum informed him of the news. “We were sitting in the bar the other night, and Baz texted me from across the room. His message just said, ‘Congrats, you’re the vice-captain,’ and I replied, ‘Beautiful, thanks.’”
As England looks to bounce back in Chennai, Brook is hopeful that better air quality and a clearer game plan against spin will lead to an improved performance in the second T20I.
