Pollution leaves cricket gasping for oxygen

NEW DELHI: The India-Sri Lanka series may not have generated enough interest despite a commanding show by the home team. For different reasons though, it became a talking point on Sunday.

Air pollution in Delhi left at least five Sri Lankan players complaining of breathing trouble. Oxygen cylinders had to be brought to the dressing room as a precautionary measure. Play was halted for over 15 minutes, which makes it perhaps the first instance of pollution stopping cricket.

India captain Virat Kohli declared the innings closed soon after play was halted because of this, probably suggesting that his team was ready to bowl in conditions the visitors found unhealthy. However, The New Indian Express understands that three players from the Indian team also experienced similar problems. Match referee David Boon was keeping an eye on the proceedings and visited the dressing rooms to ascertain the ground reality. It remains to be seen if play begins on Monday, the third day of the Test.

Around 12.32pm, Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru Gamage first complained of uneasiness while bowling. He was eventually taken off the field after the physio took a look at him. Sri Lankan players were sporting masks after lunch. It is understood they first requested for three masks during the lunch break and eventually, local organisers had to fetch a dozen as the demand kept increasing. At one point, they had just 10 men on the field. It appeared as if their physical trainer and fielding coach were about to step in.

When India hosted the U-17 World Cup in October, tournament director Javier Ceppi had tweeted, “You can’t host sport events in Delhi from Diwali till end of Feb #DelhiSmog”.