Pollution problem was not as much as it was being showed: Mohammad Shami

The ongoing Delhi Test between India and Sri Lanka has come to the limelight for the wrong reasons. The smog seems to have got hold of the game, if the visitors are to be believed. However, Indian speedster Mohammad Shami recently exclaimed that the smog issue is certainly not as big in the match as it is being showed by the opposition players.

During the second day’s play, Sri Lankan fielders complained of respiratory problems in the post lunch session. The continuous disruptions from the Sri Lankan camp infuriated the Indian captain Virat Kohli, who had to call a premature declaration. Kohli even hinted with his actions that his boys will show how to bowl in those same conditions where the Sri Lankan bowlers complained of uneasiness.

Surprisingly, the same Sri Lankan fielders who had masks on during fielding opted to bat without the masks in the game. Also, the Indian team fielded the entire day on the third day of the game and did not require any masks as such. Mohammad Shami, as per the quotes in Cricbuzz, says that perhaps the Indian players are used to it.

“Obviously this pollution is a problem but it wasn’t as much as it was being showed. It could be that we’re used to it. It is possible that we’ve been bearing it for some time now. People are now used to bearing the problem,” quoted Mohammad Shami.

Indian fielders feel the heat too

The match was under the threat of being called off. However, match referee David Boon was happy to see a scheduled start on the third day. Despite this, the Indian fielders were also seen swapping in and out during the day. Although there is no confirmation, it can be guessed that the likes of R Ashwin, Murali Vijay, and Mohammad Shami needed break due to the same reason as Vijay Shankar kept coming for them as a substitute fielder.