On Sunday, during the ongoing third and the final Test between India and Sri Lanka, the visitors were seen wearing a mask in the second session due to poor air quality.
The match is being played at Feroze Shah Kotla, in Delhi, which is presently covered with severe smog. The SLC has also raised the question to its Indian counterpart, the BCCI, to explain why Delhi was chosen as the venue for the match.
During the 123rd over of India’s innings, the play suddenly stopped as the Sri Lankan players wanted to leave the ground. It has been foggy during the morning usually due to winter but even after lunch when the sun’s pretty much atop, the foggy overcast around the field seemed steadfast.
However, during a post-match analysis on Star Sports, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag expressed that he didn’t appreciate the antics of the Islanders. He has even made requested the ICC to take severe action the Sri Lanka cricketers for their behavior on the field and for interrupting the ongoing Test.
Talking about the antics of SL, Viru said, “It was all a strategy against Virat Kohli. They wanted to stop him as it seemed that he was inching towards his triple century. They could have requested the BCCI to host the match in some other city two days before the match if they felt uncomfortable. But it seems like it was all a plan to stop Kohli from reaching 300 runs.”
He went on to speak about SL’s behavior on the ground. He added, “They acted very well. When they came to bat, they didn’t wear masks. Did the pollution level reduce all of a sudden then? It was the same. Indian players batted in the same condition and they were all good. The Sri Lanka Board should think about whatever their players did was wrong.”
Recalling one of the incidents from his career, Sehwag described, “This is not the first time that Sri Lankans behave like this. In 2010, they bowled no-ball while was batting on 99 and we needed 1 run to win.”
Speaking on the channel, Sehwag said, “ICC must look after this happening, which took place at Feroz Shah Kotla today, and should take action against Sri Lanka players”.
The match was paused for 17 minutes after lunch as the visitors, led by skipper Dinesh Chandimal, wanted to leave the field of play complaining of severe pollution. The Lankans were seen donning anti-pollution masks during the post-lunch session. The play was subsequently paused between 12:32 pm to 12:49 pm after which the umpires and match referee David Boon persuaded them to continue. However, the play was once again interrupted in the 127th over when Lakmal walked off the field after bowling the fifth ball.
