The third Test in New Delhi between India and Sri Lanka witnessed several players wearing masks and even vomiting
The Indian Medical Association on Thursday wrote to the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) on the Third Test between India and Sri Lanka in New Delhi, highlighting the high levels of air pollution the players endured.
“Air pollution also reduces performance of the athletes. In a situation where milliseconds and millimetres often determine success of athletes, air pollution can be an important factor in affecting their performance,” the IMA said adding that rain and poor light were taken into consideration while determining suitable playing conditions. “We suggest that atmospheric pollution should now also be included in the assessing criteria for a match,” the IMA added.
Delhi's notorious smog did not halt play as it did on Sunday but Sri Lanka batsman Angelo Mathews said the air remained as bad as his team battled for survival against India in the final test on Monday.
The second day's play was stopped twice on Sunday as Sri Lanka fast bowlers Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Gamage walked off the field after the seasonal haze blanketed the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in the Indian capital. Several players wore facemasks and coach Nic Pothas said two of them vomited in the dressing-room.
After Indian captain Virat Kohli declared the innings and Sri Lanka took the bat again, Indian bowlers came without the masks and looked untroubled by pollution concern but then Mohammed Shami was also seen puking.
Just after taking a wicket in the sixth over on the fourth day, right-arm seamer Mohammed Shami was seen holding his chest and started throwing up. The 12th man for India came on the field with medical kit to Shami’s aid. The bowler was changed with spinner Ravindra Jadeja in the next over. While the reason for Shami’s sickness is not clear, it clearly shifts the focus on smog in Delhi.
The BCCI had accused Sri Lanka of making a "big fuss", pointing to Indian skipper Virat Kohli who hit a record sixth Test double century despite the smog.
Air quality in Delhi-NCR has been at the season's worst for the past month as a combined effect of smoke from stubble burning and moisture turned the region into a 'gas chamber' leaving people gasping.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had blamed stubble burning for smog in the national capital and said that a solution can be found if everyone comes together.
Amid concerns over alarming pollution levels in Delhi-NCR region, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday rapped the Delhi government and said that no construction activity will be carried out on structured until further orders, other than those that don't need any construction material till next hearing.
Earlier this week, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday slammed the Delhi government for not filing the action plan on steps taken to curb air pollution in the city.
The court observed that situation is getting worst and children are suffering because of it.
The green court directed the Delhi government to file its action plan within 48 hours. The States of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have already filed the same.
It also slammed authorities for holding India-Sri Lanka cricket match at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi despite hazardous air quality.
The green body had earlier directed the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi Pollution Control Committee and every state pollution control boards to file ambient air quality analysis before the tribunal on monthly basis and also put up on their websites to enable the concerned authority to take effective steps to control the air pollution.
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 "Sri Lankan players wear masks during the Delhi Test")
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