India Vs Sri Lanka third Test: Delhi pollution plot thickens as visitors reel again

NEW DELHI: KK Aggarwal, national president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), on Tuesday summed up the struggles of Sri Lanka cricketers in Delhi due to air pollution.

“Players from other countries will not be able to breathe in the current situation. Our players might be accustomed to it, but they still should not be exposed to such air quality. The Sri Lankans were right to protest,” he told a newspaper.

Even the National Green Tribunal had questioned the Delhi government, saying, “Every newspaper has been carrying headlines that air pollution was going to be higher this week. You should not have held the match.”

But that hasn’t stopped the BCCI from staging the Test, particularly after organisers of the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Delhi Half-Marathon had in the recent past raised concerns.

On Tuesday, pollution levels near Feroz Shah Kotla was termed very unhealthy. Sri Lanka pacer Suranga Lakmal threw up on the field and was rushed for medical attention. The visitors again took to the field while wearing masks.

For some reason, doubts have been raised regarding Sri Lanka’s struggles. On Sunday, the Indian team deemed stoppage in play caused by them as unnecessary. On Monday, pacer Mohammed Shami — who also threw up on Tuesday — had said that the opposition’s portrayal of the situation was exaggerated.

Soon after Lakmal headed to the dressing room, an in-house Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) doctor conducted tests on a few Sri Lanka players. The doctor, an AIIMS professor, tested Niroshan Dickwella, Roshan De Silva, and Lakshan Sandakan for oxygen and pulse levels. Later, he claimed, “Their oxygen levels were 99, 98 and 99. The optimum reading should be 100.”

When queried about Lakmal, he said, “He and all remaining players have refused to undergo tests.” The doctor, however, had no elaboration regarding the implication of those numbers. Though DDCA’s intention to take care of Lankan cricketers ought to be appreciated, the why behind the doctor choosing to reveal the refusal raised a few eyebrows.

That apart, BCCI’s acting president CK Khanna has defended the pollution levels and has even said that he would write to Sri Lanka Cricket regarding their players’ motive.

That these levels have reached a dangerous point is not DDCA’s fault. But not informing BCCI about the ground reality is. Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas appreciated his players for their brave effort. “Some tests were done. I’ve no idea what they were. Our guys dealt with the situation superbly.”