Harry Brook, England's vice-captain, says that his team's hopes of combatting India's spin bowlers in the first T20I were hampered by an unusual but familiar foe to English touring sides - a thick layer of smog hanging over the ground in Kolkata.

CHENNAI: England might have had a hard time against the spinners in the first T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, but they are not too concerned as the tourney moves

Ahead of the second T20I against India, England batter and vice-captain Harry Brook placed blame on smog for his team's struggles against spin bowling, particularly Varun Chakravarthy during their loss in the first T20I at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

India bowled England out for 132 in the first of the five-match T20I series at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The visitors, who were once 65/2, grappled in the middle overs before perishing. Skipper Jos Buttler, who scored a fifty, found no support in the middle.

India begins their T20I series against England in Kolkata, with clear weather expected and England naming Gus Atkinson in their playing XI for a fresh start under coach Brendon McCullum.

Harry Brook believes thick Kolkata smog contributed to England’s hapless display against spin in the opening T20 against India.

England’s Harry Brook has acknowledged the challenges he faced against spin in the first T20I against India, but also pointed to the “smog” in Kolkata as a factor in England’s underwhelming batting performance during their seven-wicket defeat.