India vs Sri Lanka 2017: Lankan players undergo medical tests in Delhi

With the Sri Lankan cricketers complaining about pollution and breathing problems during the ongoing third Test against India at the Ferozeshah Kotla in New Delhi, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) called up a specialist from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr A.P. Bhalla, Professor, Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Critical Care to conduct a medical check-up for the the visitors.

According to reports in The Week, Bhalla also had an interaction with ICC Match Referee David Boon on the levels of pollution in the city and risks associated even as different levels of Air Quality Index (AQI) were quoted everywhere.

It is also understood that Sri Lankan players which include the likes of wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, debutant Roshan De Silva and chinaman Lakshan Sandakan underwent pulse tests and got their Oxygen levels checked.

The reports revealed that their Oxygen levels, whose optimum scale should be 100, read 99, 98 and 99 respectively. After this, they refused to undergo further tests. Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal, who walked off due to breathing trouble on day 2, was seen vomiting on the field earlier today (day four) after bowling just three overs and left the field immediately. In spite of this, he was reluctant to take the tests.

The medical team that was present at the venue had a handful of specialised experts in sports injuries and because of that, a general medicine expert was called in to calm Dinesh Chandimal and co. as they found it extremely difficult to play in prevailing conditions.

Day two of the Test saw the Lankan fielders coming out wearing a mask in the second session and both their fast bowlers, Lahiru Gamage and Suranga Lakmal, had to leave the field as they were troubled by the smog in the national capital. Since then, the weather in Delhi has been a major talking point from the match.

After complaining about breathing issues due to the smog, the visitors batted without any trouble on day three before they turned up with a mask on day four when they were fielding.