Virat Kohli missed out on yet another triple century in Test cricket. Though this time it seemed, Kohli was determined to play the longest Test innings of his career. But, Sri Lankan players halted the play several times as they struggled with smog at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi. The Sri Lankan players were wearing masks on Day 2 of the Test and were constantly asking on-field Umpires to stop play. This disrupted with Kohli’s concentration and led to his wicket as he was trapped in front of the stumps by Lakshan Sandakan.
Even after two quick wickets of Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin, Sri Lankan players continued to struggle on the ground and a few left the field as well. The play was halted over and over again as Chandimal was keen on talking about his players’ health condition.
The series of events took an ugly turn when India’s head coach, Ravi Shastri had to come on the field and have a few words with the umpires.
Kohli seemed to get frustrated with every passing time as he declared India’s innings. He signalled Ravindra Jadeja and Wriddhiman Saha to come back to the dressing room. Jadeja and Saha applauded Kohli’s strong decision from the ground. Surprisingly, Niroshan Dickwella acknowledged the decision by clapping. Kohli’s actions were quite clear as he felt that now Indian fielders will take the field as Sri Lankan fielders were reluctant to stay on the field.
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Here’s the video of declaration –
Innings break! India declare their innings on 536/7.
Updates – https://t.co/OKFOpkiBg9 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/jRzygy50g4
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 3, 2017
Here are a few Twitter reactions to Kohli’s animated decision to declare –
Wtf. Sri Lankans are cheering
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) December 3, 2017
Look at Kohli’s gesture. He’s actually indicating that india is going to field since SL players are having problems because of pollution.
Atleast that’s what I think it means.— Rahul churiwal (@Rahul__Churiwal) December 3, 2017
SL don’t have bowlers left coz both Pacers left the field. That’s why the WK is cheering. That’s the sportsman’s spirit @imVkohli has.
— Rahul churiwal (@Rahul__Churiwal) December 3, 2017
What smog ? 15636 people with 2 batsmans.. only smog affected srilankan… @imVkohli
— Rahul Ranjan (@RahulRanjan0027) December 3, 2017
Tight slap to Sri Lankan players!@OfficialSLC should be fined heavily.
— Atharva Chitale (@acmania97) December 3, 2017
Dear Oscar please consider gamage,lakmal,Mathews into best actor category of the year 2017
— Lokesh cherry (@SARCASTIC_soul3) December 3, 2017
Dear @ICC please blacklist these srilankan players and their team for not playing the fair game and acting very brilliantly, they don’t even deserve to play any further games #Shame #INDvSL #NerolacCricketLive @StarSportsIndia @bhogleharsha @virendersehwag @SirJadeja
— Pavan Deep (@PavanDeepGoud) December 3, 2017
Very high Oscar performance from srilankan cricket team @cricketsrilanka… bloody tricks played whole team by getting out by virat kohli..very bad sportsmanship from lankans..
— Bhanu virat (@bhanuvirat25) December 3, 2017
Shame srilankan players go and play Street cricket especially @chandi_17
— uday kumar reddy (@udaysmrty) December 3, 2017
टेस्ट क्रीकेट का मजाक बनाया आज श्रीलंकाई टिम ने
खराब खेलते हो तो प्रदुशण को क्यो दोश देते हो।
कोहली ने जब ईनींग डिक्लेर किया तो श्रीलंकाई प्लेयर हस रहे थे।
— B.S.Dhemecha (@BDhemecha) December 3, 2017
ALSO READ: Virat Kohli breaks Brian Lara’s 11-year-old record as he completes his 6th double ton!
India declared their first innings after scoring 536 runs for 7 wickets in the 128th over. The incident seemed to fill Indian bowlers with aggression as Mohammed Shami took the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne off the first ball of Sri Lanka’s innings. Dhananjaya de Silva too got out early as Ishant Sharma picked up his wicket and it seems like more will follow as the game progresses.
