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'The Hardest Thing...,' Harry Brook Explains Why England Struggled vs Chakravarthy

Muskaan Bhatt∙ Updated: Jan 25 2025, 2:45 PM

Varun Chakravarthy unleashed hell on England (Source: AP Photos)Varun Chakravarthy unleashed hell on England (Source: AP Photos)

England faced an embarrassing 7-wicket loss in their first T20I of the five-match series against India. Varun Chakravarthy was the top performer for India, picking up a three wicket haul as the Englishmen struggled against the spin wizard. 

While reflecting on the first T20I loss, England's vice-captain Harry Brook cited 'evening smog' in Kolkata as a reason that made it doubly harder to pick mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy from his hand. He further highlighted that facing spin in T20 cricket is a hard thing in the game. 

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The 25-year-old also said that he is hoping that Chennai air will be comparatively clearer for sighting the white Kookaburra.

"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. Facing spin in T20 cricket is probably the hardest thing in the game, especially because I always get out trying to absolutely smack it," Brook told the Daily Telegraph.

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Brook's Game Plan Vs Spin

Harry Brook also revealed that he is devising his own method to counter spin and said:

"Maybe I've got to rein in a little bit, but we'll see. 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," he added.

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Chakravarthy picked up the wickets of Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone and Brook during his game changing spell of 3 for 33 in India's emphatic seven wicket victory over England in the first of the five-match T20I series.

England Choke To India's Spin At Eden Gardens

India successfully thrashed England in the first T20I, chasing down 132 in just 12.5 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy led India’s dominant bowling effort, with Chakaravarthy taking three wickets and Arshdeep removing both openers. Jos Buttler's 50 was the only resistance, but once he fell, England crumbled. 

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In reply, Abhishek Sharma blazed 79 off 34 balls, including the second-fastest T20I half-century for India against England (20 balls). Despite dismissals of Samson and Suryakumar Yadav, Sharma’s blitz set the tone, with Varma and Pandya completing the chase easily. England's bowlers struggled, particularly apart from Jofra Archer.

[With PTI Inputs]