The air pollution issue continued to flare up on the fourth day of the final Test between India and Sri Lanka, with the visiting seamer Suranga Lakmal vomiting on the field on Tuesday, 5 December.
After the visitors were bowled out for 373 in their first innings on the fourth day, they were seen wearing N95 anti-pollution masks – required to protect the lungs from the "very poor" air quality in Delhi.
Lakmal had bowled only three overs when he was seen vomiting on the field, prompting the physiotherapist to run to him. After consultation, the pacer went off the ground.
Later in the day Indian pacer Mohammed Shami too threw up on the field. However teammate Shikhar Dhawan said that “he is fine and you will see him in action tomorrow”.
Follow ball-to-ball updates from India’s third Test vs Sri Lanka here.
The Sri Lankan cricketers had first protested against playing in Delhi’s poor quality air on Sunday, 3 December, interrupting the second session of the third Test multiple times before Indian skipper Virat Kohli had chosen to declare.
In the post-match conference, Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas said that three cricketers –Lakmal, Lahiru Gamage and Dhananjay de Silva – had trouble breathing and vomited during the match.
While the Air Quality Index had averaged at 368 on that day, the Central Pollution Control Board had recorded an AQI of 390 on Monday, 4 December – the third day of the Test. Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews had termed the air quality “worse” than before at the press conference later that day.
With an average AQI of 379 on Tuesday, 5 December – Day 4 of the Delhi Test – the pollution levels nearly touched the ‘severe’ category but were better than the previous day.
In response to the pollution issues, the BCCI said that in the future, they would consider scheduling matches in Delhi during this period.
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