Delhi might lose the rights to host winter tests in future as India- Sri Lanka test series cokes in Delhi smoke for a consecutive fourth day. Sri Lankakan cricketer Suranga Lakmal on Tuesday fell sick on the field and vomitted before walking off, triggering another series of criticism.
News agency Reuters reported that Lakmal, who was on the field as the India's second inning progressed to sixth over, was seen bending over and throwing up. Apart from the bowler and the wicketkeeper, all Sri Lankan fielders were seen wearing masks, reported ESPN.
This is the third and final match in the series. Lakmal, who returned to bowl the 11th over, and pace colleague Lahiru Gamage had also walked off on Sunday with discomforts, said reports.
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The cricket controlling body in India, BCCI on Monday had said that it will "consider" the scheduling of matches in Delhi, where pollution is a leading problem.
"Scheduling of matches in Delhi during this time of the year will be considered," BCCI Acting Secretary Amitabh Chaudhary was quoted as saying by NDTV at the end of the third day's play here when questions were raised about Delhi's viability as a venue given the rising pollution levels.
However, Chaudhary said Sri Lanka Cricket had not raised any such concerns when the itinerary was decided. "If Sri Lanka Cricket had concerns regarding scheduling, they didn't express them to us," he added.
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Some unprecedented scenes were witnessed at Delhi’s Ferozeshah Kotla on the second day on Sunday as well. Several protesting Sri Lankans players wore facemasks as smog engulfed the city. In all, three Sri Lankan players vomited due to breathlessness, said Sri Lanka team coach Nic Pothas after the day’s play. A total of 21 minutes of play was lost due to the weather conditions.
After the incident, National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday had rapped the authorities for holding the match in Delhi, that's battling with smog and choking haze for over a month now.
It said that the pollution in the city has already reached alarming levels yet the government was adopting a "lackadaisical" approach in dealing with the situation.
The green panel was also irked by authorities for conducting the third Test between Sri Lanka and India on Sunday which was disrupted due to the choking smog.
