India vs Sri Lanka 2017: Players were coming off the field and vomiting, says Sri Lanka coach

What’s the story?

On a day when air quality and pollution in New Delhi usurped the action on the field, Sri Lanka's interim coach has come out and revealed what prompted his team to sport face masks after lunch.

"We had players coming off the field and vomiting. There were oxygen cylinders in the change room. It's not normal for players to suffer in that way while playing the game," Pothas told reporters after the day's play.

The details

The South African also said that fast bowler Suranga Lakmal was vomiting continuously in the dressing room and had to be tended to by the team doctor and match referee.

He also said that this was perhaps the first time players had to encounter such a menace and that the authorities should now look at finding a solution to the pollution hazard.

Pothas also said that the match authorities will meet today to discuss the possible scenarios if the same event repeats itself on the third day and the action of the Sri Lankan team will depend solely on whatever filters out from the meeting.

In case you didn’t know…

After the lunch break on Day 2, many Sri Lankan players walked on to the field wearing face masks as the sun had all but disappeared in the gloom. Soon after, fast bowlers Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Gamage went back inside the dressing room, complaining of breathing problems owing to the toxic Delhi air.

The umpires had to speak with Team India captain Virat Kohli, who was batting on 240 at that time. However, proceedings resumed but owing to constant breaks the action never became very smooth.

Kohli eventually declared innings as Sri Lanka did not have even 11 players to take the field and to end the farce India decided to take the field instead.

What’s next?

“If 20,000 people in the stands did not have a problem and the Indian team did not face any issue, I wonder why Sri Lankan team made a big fuss. I will need to talk to the secretary and ask him to write to the Sri Lanka cricket,” news agency PTI quoted BCCI acting president CK Khanna as saying.

The BCCI is not at all impressed and hence the meeting with the match referee and umpires assumes a lot of importance.

Author’s take

There is no denying the fact that Delhi's air pollution has reached alarming levels and the concerned authorities should take immediate steps to curb the menace.

Also, the BCCI and the ICC should chalk out a plan for the smooth conduct of the remainder of the match.