Sri Lanka manager Asanka Gurusinha and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have questioned the decision to go ahead with the Test match in Delhi despite the environmental conditions not being suitable.
The IMA wrote to the BCCI and Vinod Rai, the head of the Committee of Administrators, expressing its displeasure over the match being played in such conditions. On the other hand, Gurusinha urged the ICC to deploy air-quality meters in the future.
“The players are not able to breathe so we’re using oxygen cylinders in the changing room. This has been medically advised to us,” he told Mumbai Mirror. “Even the Indian team is using oxygen cylinders in the dressing room.”
Several Sri Lankan players came out to field after the lunch break on day two wearing pollution masks. The scene soon took an unfortunate turn as the visiting players complained of having breathing problems. It had caused delay of over 25 minutes in the game. At one point in time, Sri Lanka was left with just ten players on the field following the departure of pace bowlers Lahiru Gamage and Suranga Lakmal after they complained of breathing.
Meanwhile, the matter has grabbed International Cricket Council’s (ICC) attention too as a spokesperson confirmed the issue would be discussed in the apex body’s meeting.
“The ICC has noted the conditions in which the Delhi Test was played and has already requested the issue is considered by the medical committee for guidance should the situation arise in future. The matter is likely to be discussed in February’s ICC meetings,” the spokesperson said.
On the other hand, IMA president KK Aggarwal expressed his apprehensions over the message being sent out due to the game being played even when the PM (particulate matter) 2.5 levels were more than 300.
“Rain and poor light are taken into consideration when determining suitable playing conditions, we suggest that atmospheric pollution should now also be included in the assessing criteria for a match,” Aggarwal stated in his letter to the BCCI as per PTI.
Gurusinha, meanwhile, further said that the governing body of the game should set the standard for the playing conditions after the ‘unprecedented situation’ in Delhi.
“The match referee David Boon is handling our request. He is collecting all the data. This is an unprecedented situation, and has not happened anywhere before,” he said.
“The ICC managers need to sit down and look at the problem. I don’t think anyone should jump the gun but we need to set a standard. Going forward, it should be treated like bad light which is measured by light meters. They may have to use pollution meters. The measures should be universally applied,” he added.
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