Smog stops play at Feroz Shah Kotla, Twitterati go wild

Not always you get to see doctors take the call in a cricket match. But something bizarre happened at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi today. The Test match between India and Sri Lanka stopped due to smog. Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal and some of his teammates were seen wearing pollution masks during the hours of play. The game was stopped after almost half an hour of play post the lunch session.

The air quality in Delhi has been rated ‘very poor’ by the experts. Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav was also spotted wearing a mask while he was warming the bench. Indian captain Virat Kohli, who scored another double ton, was seen taking a break in the field as the crowd cheered for everyone.

Poor air quality in Delhi

As per a Hindustan Times report, the air quality index (AQI) went past 400 in many parts of Delhi last month. The report further added that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued a warning on potential health hazards, describing Delhi’s present situation as a “public health emergency state” and asked authorities to close schools as a precautionary measure.

To add more to it, Ravichandran Ashwin lost his wicket right after the smog-break. India are currently placed at 519/6 and the skipper is going great guns at the moment. The internet went bonkers as they haven’t witnessed anything like this before. It also brought back memories of the India-Australia match a few years ago where honey-bees stopped play for a certain time. Anil Kumble was the skipper fo the Indian side at that time.

We will have to wait and see if smog can come to Sri Lanka’s rescue as India look brutal. The Lankans will have to bat well in order to avoid a horrific run. Let’s take a look at the tweets.

Runo ka pahad dekh ke, saans nahin li ja rahi hai.Nautanki kar rahe hai https://t.co/BGoKN5mle7

— VINOD KAMBLI (@vinodkambli349) December 3, 2017

#INDvsSL Smog and Virat ensuring the lankans take a flight tomorrow only! pic.twitter.com/LlduP5ZpC9

— tusshar mehta (@Tusshar_Mehta) December 3, 2017

Sri Lankan Cricket Players Wearing Pollution Mask On Field
Protesting Against @ArvindKejriwal … Demanding His Resignation #SaveCricket #KingKohli Delhi Smog pic.twitter.com/bvhBv23ZjO

— Narendra Sharma (@imNSharmaBJP) December 3, 2017

As A Delhi CM I Did What India's Captain From Delhi Couldn't. Made Sri Lankans Hide Their Face. #SmogInDelhi #Smog #IndvsSL #INDvSL #ViratKohli #KingKohli pic.twitter.com/g2iIzLATtK

— Arvind Kejriwal (@TroluKejri) December 3, 2017

Brilliant ploy. 14 minute smog break then a wicket first ball afterwards. 519-6 #INDvSL

— mark butcher (@markbutcher72) December 3, 2017

Rare scenes at the cricket ground,Sri Lankan cricketers wearing masks due to Smog in Delhi Test vs India. pic.twitter.com/17D6SAWWdB

— Mirza Iqbal Baig (@mirzaiqbal80) December 3, 2017

Ok, here’s a first. Smog could be stopping play here. Sri Lankan fielders complaining of feeling ill in Delhi. Could they concede the Test? @SkyCricket

— mark butcher (@markbutcher72) December 3, 2017

Sri Lankan Players Are Wearing Masks. No, That's Not Due To Smog. They're Hiding Their Face Out Of Shame. ??????#IndvsSL #INDvSL #ViratKohli #KingKohli pic.twitter.com/RLB5X6h8vs

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) December 3, 2017

Play Is Stopped For A While. Sri Lankans Raising Concerns Regarding Air Quality In Delhi. Umpires,Referee & Both Captains Discussing. #Smog Or Dirty Trick?#IndvsSL #INDvSL #ViratKohli #KingKohli

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) December 3, 2017

Sri Lankans are wearing mask and playing under Smog.
England or Australia would have walked out of this test if they were here #IndvsSL

— Abhishek ?? #408 (@ImAbhishek7_) December 3, 2017

Wearing masks at smoggy Kotla, Sri Lankan’s deliver a message & rebuke. Delhi shd be banned from cricket in winter till things improve pic.twitter.com/nUUjagcjvj

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) December 3, 2017

So smog stops cricket in Delhi.Want the next big multibagger?Find an unnoticed Air purifier company.Few unlisted companies have sold 5X more Air Purifier in just last few months. Listed #Forbes&co could be a big beneficiary. Demerger whenever happens would create massive wealth.

— Arun Mukherjee (@Arunstockguru) December 3, 2017

If today’s #INDvsSL test match smog/pollution embarrassment is not a wake up call for India then I don’t know what is… ???

— Akshay S (@akshayleo3) December 3, 2017

Been here in Delhi for over 3 weeks since the initial smog. Air is unhealthy and needs to be addressed but nothing that should force a cricket match to stop just because you are a helpless cricket team.

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) December 3, 2017

Only smog can save Sri Lanka, they are not having problems from smog, Actually the problem is Virat Kohli. We are also living in same ground where match is being played.

— Bipin Jha (@Mahrailbihar) December 3, 2017

What's wrong with Gamage ?
Is he really struggling coz of smog or he had a cigarette during lunch break. Huh ? #INDvSL

— Aadi Sharma (@aadisharma1900) December 3, 2017

Play being halted due to smog/pollution in Delhi has to be a wake up call for everybody ! Like seriously !

— Archana Vijaya (@archanavijaya) December 3, 2017

I guess the Lankans will be the first to demand stopping play because of smog. Test match abandoned due to smog? ??

— Yusuf Unjhawala ?? (@YusufDFI) December 3, 2017

How embarrassing to see international cricketers having to wear masks to deal with #Delhi 's #pollution .

Are we about to have play held up due to pollution levels? Delhi is such a trendsetting city #INDvSL #SmogInDelhi #Smog #IndvsSL #INDvSL #ViratKohli #KingKohli pic.twitter.com/3UMX2WTRxv

— Tamil Actress Galleri (@TamilActressG) December 3, 2017