The former legendary skipper of Pakistan Imran Khan who led them to the one and only World Cup triumph till date in 1992 raised concern over the air pollution level on display at the capital city of India. During the 2nd day of the 3rd and the final Test played between India and Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi, several Sri Lankan players struggled to breathe, and as many as 4 of them vomited.
Fast bowlers Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Gamage went off the field looking in utmost discomfort. Most of the Sri Lankan players wore masks from the post-lunch session on Day 2. Initially, the play was halted for 16 minutes and then again after restart the Sri Lankan players started struggling. Sri Lankan team manager came running on to the field, and so came India’s head coach Ravi Shastri.
The Sri Lankan players were having an animated chat with the on-field umpires as they told them they were running short of fielders and hence a couple of members from the support staff were ready in their whites and would have run on to the field whenever required. Indian skipper Virat Kohli was not too pleased by the antics shown by Sri Lanka and in utter disgust he called back the team and signalled that they would like them how to bowl and survive in these conditions.
Pollution level in New Delhi has been a worry in the last year or so, but the situation was not as bad as it was portrayed. The situation needs to get improved. The Indians are used to the poor air pollution level, and that is the reason why they managed themselves better than the Sri Lankan players.
Meanwhile, Imran said that it must be a wake-up call for Pakistan as the children of the nation are at huge risk. Taking to his twitter handle, Imran wrote:
“This should be a wakeup call for Pak. Our children are at a huge risk because of dangerous pollution levels. We must mobilise the entire nation and take steps to fight climate change & pollution.”
