Former Sri Lankan cricketer Russel Arnold defended Lankan players for covering their faces with anti-pollution masks in the third and final Test match at Delhi on December 3. The second session of the play saw three interruptions over complaints of air pollution, prompting the Lankans to wear anti-pollution masks at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground.
Sri Lankans halted the play three times to raise the issue with on-field umpires. During their discussions, Lankan players urged the umpires to stop the play as they were finding difficult to field due to pollution. During one of the interruptions, India chief coach Ravi Shastri too went on to have a discussion with the field umpires.
ALSO READ: Virender Sehwag slams Sri Lanka for their smog drama
Post the discussion, the Indian crowd felt that the visitors were intent on wasting time and breaking the rhythm and focus of the hosts. The visiting batsmen were greeted with chants of “losers”, “losers”.
ALSO READ: Live, India vs Sri Lanka 3rd Test, Day 3, Live Cricket Score
Miffed with Sri Lankans’ time-wasting tactics, Indian captain Virat Kohli, who lost his wicket after scoring 243 following several disruptions, declared the Indian innings (536/7) and invite Sri Lankans to bat. Surprisingly, Niroshan Dickwella acknowledged Virat’s decision by clapping.
Innings break! India declare their innings on 536/7.
Updates – https://t.co/OKFOpkiBg9 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/jRzygy50g4
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 3, 2017
Meanwhile, former Indian player Sanjay Manjrekar during commentary made an observation and said that Sri Lankan player Angelo Mathews who needed mask while fielding has come out to bat without a mask!
Mathews (69*) walked out to bat at number four after Dhananjaya De Silva (1) was adjudged LBW.
ALSO READ: Bharat Arun bashes Dinesh Chandimal & Co. for protesting due to smog
A fan of the Indian team tweeted Manjrekar’s statement and asked Russel Arnold to reply. He wrote: “Awesome observation by @sanjaymanjrekar. Player (@Angelo69Mathews) who needed mask while fielding has come out to bat without a mask. #IndvSL @RusselArnold69 any comments? @bhogleharsha request you to ask him the q’n again.”
Awesome observation by @sanjaymanjrekar. Player (@Angelo69Mathews) who needed mask while fielding has come out to bat without a mask. #IndvSL @RusselArnold69 any comments? @bhogleharsha request you to ask him the q’n again
— Arjun Pai (@pai_arjun) December 3, 2017
Without wasting time, Russel Arnold wrote: “Didn’t see any of the Indian batsmen wear sunnies when batting.. they wear them while fielding … same Sun na.”
Didn’t see any of the Indian batsmen wear sunnies when batting.. they wear them while fielding … same Sun na
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) December 3, 2017
Russel Arnold’s tweet, however, didn’t go down well with Indian cricket fans and they tried to shut him up by declaring his comment as ‘stupid logic’.
Here are some reactions:
But it’s not the Indian players who’re throwing tantrums on field. They’re not having any issues while breathing now. “Same air na?”
— Arjun Pai (@pai_arjun) December 3, 2017
Are they wearing mask while fielding now? Stop defending by stupid logics. Their reaction after declaration says everything about their intention
— Akshay VK18 Sharma (@akshaypasu) December 3, 2017
True man! #TeamLanka can’t defend well either on field or off field. They merely find excuses to escape.
— Arjun Pai (@pai_arjun) December 3, 2017
What your team is lacking is another crybaby like you!#INDvSL
— __ ____ _________ (@herohindostani) December 3, 2017
Meanwhile, Sri Lankans started day 3 on a positive note as they reached 154/3. They still trail India by 382 runs. Angelo Mathews and captain Dinesh Chandimal were at the crease with 70 and 36 not out respectively.
