A Test match had to be repeatedly halted to let cricketers vomit due to a thick smog that engulfed the stadium in Delhi as India faced Sri Lanka.
Players were forced to wear face masks at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground as the fixture continued in unhealthy air pollution – 18 times higher than the level considered safe.
Sri Lankan coach Nic Pothas said his players vomited as soon as they left the field as the game was stopped a number times for the umpires to consult team doctors.
The visiting side had led protests on Sunday, complaining of health problems, but play continued today in hazy conditions.
Sri Lanka were increasingly affected by the pollution as India declared on 536 for seven
Stricken paceman Lahiru Gamage needed lengthy treatment from the team’s physio
Sri Lanka’s players talk to each other with masks on, while some of their stars take a seat
Yesterday, the Sri Lankan players returned from the lunch break wearing face masks and play was stopped for 20 minutes as the umpires and the medical teams talked.
It was the first time a Test match has been stopped due to a toxic smog, but play was not abandoned.
The action resumed with India in a dominant position thanks to a sixth double-century of Virat Kohli’s career but two Sri Lankan bowlers – Lahiru Gamage and Suranga Lakmal – left the field mid-over complaining of breathing difficulties.
Today, Sri Lankan batsmen Angelo Mathews and captain Dinesh Chandimal continued their side’s first innings at a haze-shrouded Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, with no repeat of Sunday’s protests from the visiting team.
Official indicators showed pollution at similar ‘unhealthy’ levels to Sunday, 18 times what the World Health Organisation considers safe.
Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas told reporters after the match: ‘We had players coming off the field and vomiting.
‘There were oxygen cylinders in the changing room.
‘It’s not normal for players to suffer in that way while playing the game.’
Virat Kohli posted a career best of 243 as India took control of the third Test vs Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka players speak to umpire Nigel Llong about the tough conditions in the Indian capital
Media reports said India captain Virat Kohli had been angered by what were seen as delaying tactics by the Sri Lankan players.
However during a previous pollution peak last month, Kohli expressed concern at the worsening health threat.
‘It’s a situation which is only getting worse by the day,’ Kohli wrote in a Facebook post on November 9.
‘If we don’t act there are going to be massive problems in future. The kids are going to suffer with diseases,’ he added.
‘So look after your family members, look after the children, whose future really depends on how we look after the current situation.’
The smog affects much of Northern India all year round, but during the winter months the pollution level reaches hazardous levels.
Sri Lanka were reduced to 14 for two before they dug in to get to 131 for three at close of play
Kohil struck 25 fours in his 287-ball innings before being trapped lbw by Lakshan Sandakan
The tourists closed day two on 131 for three in reply to the home side’s mammoth 536 for seven declared – a total built around Kohli’s career-best 243.
Faced with air quality described as ‘very poor’ on the Delhi Traffic Police’s Twitter feed and ‘hazardous’ by the Air Quality Index, stricken paceman Lahiru Gamage needed lengthy treatment from the team’s physio as the umpires discussed the situation with the players.
Soon afterwards, Gamage’s fellow seamer Suranga Lakmal was unable to finish his over and walked off the field, also seemingly feeling ill.
India were on 529 for seven off 126.5 overs when Lakmal left the pitch – leading to Sri Lanka team manager Asanka Gurusinha coming out to talk to the umpires, followed soon after by India head coach Ravi Shastri.
Play continued after that but only for one more over, when Pothas also strode out to speak to the officials, at which point Kohli opted to declare.