After losing the opening match of the T20I at Eden Gardens, England will face India in Chennai on Saturday in the second T20I match. While the visitors will look to level the series, the Men in Blue will look to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Ahead of the exciting encounter, England vice-captain Harry Brook found himself in deep water over comments about Kolkata smog being one of the biggest reasons why England batters struggled against Varun Chakravarthy at Eden Gardens.
While Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Brook said, “Chakaravarthy 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.” He added, “Facing spin in T20 cricket is probably the hardest thing in the game, especially because I always get out trying to smack it,”.
During the first T20I, India opted for three spinners, while keeping ace pacer Mohammed Shami on the bench. The spin trio bowled 12 overs and conceded just 67 runs, picking up five wickets between them.
Fans troll Harry Brook
The comment made by Brook did not go down well with the Indian fans, who trolled the England batter and reminded him that Delhi Capitals picked him for the IPL 2025, a city, statistically known as one of the most polluted ones in the country.
Can Indian spinner Dismantle England batting in Chennai?
The opening T20I match of the series turned into a one-sided contest, with England struggling against India’s spinners. The visitors were bowled out for just 132 in 20 overs, and India chased the target with ease, taking only 12.5 overs to secure victory on Thursday.
Varun will be eager to repeat his heroics, this time in front of his home crowd in his first-ever T20I at Chepauk. England batters on the other hand will look to show adaptability if early wickets fall in the powerplay during the second T20I as well. England coach Brendon McCullum is unlikely to tinker with the combination after just one match.
