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.

Harry Brook was trolled for saying that the Kolkata smog was one of the biggest reasons why England failed to pick India's Varun Chakarvarthy from his hand.

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 ride on Abhishek Sharma's 34-ball 79 and a clinical display from bowlers as the hosts beat England by 7 wickets in the first T20I. India take 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing a paltry 133 for a win, India overhauled the target with 43 balls to spare as they reached 133 for 3 in just 12.5 overs.

India has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England's cricketers in Kolkata.