The International Cricket Council has taken note of the conditions in which the third Test match between India and Sri Lanka was played in New Delhi, and has requested the issue to be considered by its medical committee. This committee will guide the ICC for future matches “should the situation similar to the one in Delhi arise again in future”.
The Delhi Test match was clouded by smog and high pollution levels under which the teams played at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. The Sri Lankan team struggled to play in the prevailing conditions where the Air Quality Index touched “very poor” levels as per the World Health Organisation standards.
Sri Lanka players took to the field wearing masks as their pacers struggled on the field with Suranga Lakimal throwing up on the ground on the fourth day of the match. Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal had used an inhaler while batting. Complaining of congestion and breathlessness, Lankan players were reportedly treated to “steam” by the medical staff present on the ground. On day three, there were three interruptions over this issue, but match referee David Boon refused to stop play or call off the game while terming it a unique situation, THE WEEK had reported earlier. The Lankan camp, it is reliably learnt, was not too happy with the ICC match referee's stand.
There are no rules under existing ICC playing conditions for smog or pollution stopping a match presently.
The Indian Medical Association had urged Board of Control for Cricket in India to consider atmospheric pollution while staging a match.
The ICC has taken cognisance of the match referee David Boon's report. The match got over on Wednesday and on Thursday evening, the ICC is said to have taken this decision. A specialist from All India Institute of Medical Sciences was also called to Kotla on the fourth day's play to do a medical check-up of the Sri Lankan players. He also briefed Boon about the health risks involved.
The Sri Lankan sports minister is said to have sent a letter to the ICC, complaining about the health risk the national team was subjected to. However, the ICC is yet to receive it.
