SLC want explanation from BCCI on the Kotla smog incident

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC) has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for an explanation regarding the selection of Feroz Shah Kotla as a venue for the 3rd Test match between India and Sri Lanka as per the sources on Cricket Age. Due to smog, the second day’s play was halted for about 17 minutes after lunch as the Sri Lankan cricketers including their skipper Dinesh Chandimal expressed eagerness to leave the field.

The umpires and the match referee observed the situation from close quarters and resumed the game after the smog-break. There were several stoppages of play, as pacer Suranga Lakmal left the field without completing his overs due to injury.

Multiple stoppages of play

The umpires then had a chat with the visiting sides’ skipper Chandimal and experienced campaigner Angelo Mathews. Soon the Sri Lankan team manager joined the discussion and India’s head coach Ravi Shastri didn’t hold back himself. He too walked out in the field and had an animated chat with the umpires. Soon thereafter, Chandimal stooped play as he went to the umpire after noticing that there were only ten fielders in the ground.

Kohli found fuming

India were not impressed and Kohli soon declared the innings and he didn’t look too pleased with all the antics in the field. Chandimal had earlier walked up to the on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Nigel Llong to complain about the poor air quality, complaining that his fast bowlers were finding it difficult to breathe. Some of the Sri Lankan players were wearing pollution masks in the field.

India declared their innings on 536/7 after Kohli was dismissed for 243. Rohit Sharma got a good start and followed up on his hundred in Nagpur with a fifty here in Delhi but couldn’t continue the good run and was dismissed for 65. Sri Lanka ended the day on 131/3.