As Delhi pollution levels touched “very poor levels” on Tuesday, Sri Lankan players took to the field wearing masks yet again in the morning. Pacer Suranga Lakmal vomitted on the field after bowling just three overs and had to be taken off.
Meanwhile, the Delhi and District Cricket Association called up a specialist from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences—Dr A.P. Bhalla, Professor, Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Critical Care—to conduct a medical check up of the visiting Lankans and reassure them on the existing conditions. Apparently, Bhalla also had an interaction with ICC Match Referee David Boon on the levels of pollution in the city and risks associated even as different levels of Air Quality Index (AQI) were quoted everywhere.
It is learnt that three Lankan players—Nirashan Dickwella, Roshan De Silva and Lakshan Sandakan—underwent tests for pulse and Oxygen levels. Their Oxygen levels showed readings of 99, 98 and 99, respectively, when the optimum scale should be 100. After that the Lankans refused to undergo further tests. Lakmal, who had thrown up, also refused to get his medical check up done.
The medical team present at the stadium for the players had experts specialised in sports injuries and therefore, a general medicine expert was called in to calm the visiting team that struggled with high pollution in the national capital and were short of throwing in the towel as they found it extremely difficult to play in prevailing conditions.
The fourth day started with poor visibility and the floodlights had to be switched on in the morning itself for the match to take place.
Meanwhile, panic spread as news filtered in that nine Sri Lankan players, who were part of the ODI squad announced to play against India, were recalled from Colombo airport Monday night. The team did not have clearance from ministry of sports. Various reasons did the rounds, including the high pollution levels in Delhi. However, later it turned out that there was a “delay on part of Sri Lanka Cricket Board from sending the selected team for clearance from the sports ministry”. This mandatory clearance was the reason for the recall. As per Lankan laws, all sports teams representing the country need a mandatory approval by the country's sports ministry. The ministry has recently set up a fitness standard that must be met by athletes representing the country and clearance are only given once the players have met these standards.
The three match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka starts on December 10 in Dharamsala.
