England’s star batter Harry Brook has certainly been one of the standout performers in the recent England vs India Test series, scoring a sharp 111 on the final day at The Oval and finishing with 481 runs. But while the English crowd may be singing his praises, Indian fans are a different story altogether.

Why India Just Can’t Warm Up to Brook?

For many in India, Harry Brook vs India is a rivalry that extends beyond the boundary ropes and not for the best reasons. He’s been labelled “India’s public enemy” more than once, thanks to a series of controversial remarks that have rubbed Indian audiences the wrong way. Welcome to Harry Brook’s controversy – a saga that seems to resurface every time the Englishman faces India.

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“Can’t Eat Curry for Breakfast” – The Food Fiasco

During his IPL 2023 stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Brook didn’t just have a rough time with the bat; he also found himself in hot water off the field. Speaking about his experience in India, he made a comment that didn’t sit well with the local sentiment.

“I can’t have that every meal,” he said when asked about Indian cuisine. “I’m not too bad with spice – I reckon I’m a bit better than a few lads here, but it baffles me how people can have curry for breakfast.”

Harry Brook on Hyderabad’s famous biryanis: “It’s like the main dish, but I can’t have that every meal” 😃https://t.co/qr8m2jGH0I #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/x7DMj94P72

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 4, 2023

Now, for many Indians, breakfast curries are not just common, but culturally significant, from poha-jalebi in the West to idli-sambar in the South, spice is a way of life. Harry Brook’s controversy around Indian food was seen by many as dismissive of a culinary tradition loved and lived by millions. For a player fresh on Indian soil, the timing and tone of the remark felt more like a bouncer than a light-hearted jab.

“Glad I Could Shut Them Up” – The Fan Fallout

Brook’s IPL 2023 campaign was underwhelming, with just 190 runs across 11 matches, and 100 of those came in a single game. As criticism poured in from Indian fans on social media, Brook’s patience ran thin. Following his century, he fired back in a post-match interview:

“There’s a lot of Indian fans out there who would probably say well done tonight, but they were slagging me off a few days ago. Glad that I could shut them up, to be honest.”

The comment ignited Harry Brook vs India on a new level. While sports fandom in India can be harsh and reactive, Brook’s statement came across as combative. Many felt that a young overseas player lashing out at the home fanbase, who ultimately fill the stadiums and make IPL what it is, was both immature and disrespectful. If Brook had hoped to turn criticism into cheers, this didn’t help his cause.

The Smog Excuse – A “Hazy” Statement in Kolkata

Fast forward to early 2025, when England returned to India for a white-ball series. In a T20I game in Kolkata, Harry Brook vs India took another twist when he was dismissed cheaply by Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. When asked about England’s struggles against spin, Brook offered a strange explanation:

“We struggled to pick him because of the smog in Kolkata.”

The remark sparked fresh outrage. Kolkata, one of India’s cricketing hubs, took this as an unfair dig. Cricketers regularly play in various atmospheric conditions around the world, and blaming smog, which hadn’t been flagged by any other players, felt like an excuse. Former players like Sunil Gavaskar and R Ashwin didn’t take kindly to it either. “He should focus on reading the bowler, not the weather,” Ashwin reportedly quipped. This moment added another chapter to Harry Brook’s controversy, reinforcing the perception that Brook’s statements often veer into culturally tone-deaf territory.

A Complicated Bond, But One That Won’t Be Ignored

At this point, it’s safe to say that Harry Brook vs India is no passing phase. Whether it’s food, fans, or foggy conditions, Brook has repeatedly found himself on the wrong side of Indian opinion. But if there’s one thing this saga proves, it’s that Brook is firmly in the Indian spotlight for better or worse.

A sensational ton from Harry Brook as England march on at The Oval 🔥#WTC27 | #ENGvIND 📝: https://t.co/SNl4Ym0dTV pic.twitter.com/VkuETnVhJC

— ICC (@ICC) August 3, 2025

Despite the backlash, he remains a key figure in the England setup. After the tightly contested 2-2 Test series in which Brook was controversially picked as England’s Player of the Series by India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, he’s now gearing up for more cricket. Notably, Brook’s 111 at The Oval nearly took England over the line in a chase of 374, before Mohammed Siraj’s 9-wicket haul and Prasidh Krishna’s 4-fer swung the match India’s way in a dramatic finish.

Harry Brook hits his first ball for 6 runs. Standard. 🫡#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/I8oX9FdFz4

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 7, 2025

He’ll soon captain the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, followed by England’s white-ball series against South Africa and Ireland. For now, Indian fans may still fume, meme, or mock, but they’ll also be watching. After all, Harry Brook’s controversy has made him impossible to ignore.