Post the third cricket test, India and Sri Lanka were in the news for much more than scores and win-loss statistics. Though people were pretty chuffed about Virat Kohli's double hundred, a point of major discussion was the decision of the Lankan team to wear pollution masks to make a rather elaborate point about Delhi’s poor air quality. Reactions were, of course, swift and vocal.
The third cricket test match between India and Sri Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi saw the Sri Lankan team sporting pollution masks to deal with the high pollution levels of the city. No one from the Indian side and none of the spectators seemed to need the masks.
It is the first time ever that players have worn anti-pollution masks on a field while playing. The visitors also halted proceedings thrice. Some of the Lankan substitute fielders also refused to take the field. This forced India to declare their innings.
C K Khanna, acting president of the BCCI was clearly not best pleased an wondered why the Sri Lankan team “made a big fuss”. He also said that the matter would be taken up with Sri Lankan Cricket Board.
When asked for his reaction to the Lankan players’ mask wearing, Dhawan pointed out that many Indian players are also not used to the smog in Delhi but since they have been assigned a job they didn't let other things come in the way.
This twitterer thought it was a bit of drama by the Sri Lankan players who felt the need to show that they were uncomfortable while everyone else was fine.
Another tweet thought that this was one way for the Lankans to blame pollution and “escape getting butchered;” clearly a reference to the Lankan’s one down position in the test series.
The original “l love to walk in the rain so no one can see my tears” is suitably tweaked to dovetail with the situation.
Sri Lanka is preoccupied with smog and cricket itself suffers as a result.
Some had trouble drawing breath while others gave breathtaking performances!
…It was also pointed out that some of the players were clearly wheezing and having difficulties on the field. It wasn’t just the Sri Lankan players, one Indian player also threw up.
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