Cricket was marred by an unprecedented approach by Sri Lankan players when they complained about the poor air quality in Delhi and halted the play on the second day of the third and final Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on Sunday.

In a first in cricket history, Lankan players wore anti-pollution masks during the match. They stopped the play three times between 12.32 and 1:19 p.m, complaining about air quality. India were heading a huge total but the continuous stoppages by the Lankans forced captain Virat Kohli to declare the innings.

Before the pollution drama came into force, riding on great form, Virat Kohli made a career-best double century (243) to join the league of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag on the second day of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka.

Kohli had to declare the innings when the score was 536/7, as visitors simply refused to take the field. It was easy for in-form Kohli to make runs freely as none of the Lankans bowlers were impressive. He completed his double hundred in 238 balls, hitting 20 fours, and became the first captain to score six Test double hundred, surpassing West Indian great Brian Lara. It was another day of Indian dominance with Kohli achieving another milestone. But the Sri Lankans’ unwelcome behaviour tainted Kohli’s record.

After constant stoppages he lost his concentration when Lakshan Sandakan trapped him in front of the wicket. Sandakan’s short of length off stump ball forced Kohli to go on backfoot and play a gentle flick through midwicket. But the ball skidded to him a little too quickly and hit the back pad on the knee roll. He was plumbed in front of the wicket.

Before getting Kohli, Sandakan got rid off of Rohit Sharma who was also playing along nicely with Kohli. Sandakan’s one off break ball spun back sharply from outside off stump, Rohit Sharma tried to play it at point but the ball took a slight edge and went through to wicketkeeper Dickwella. Rohit made 65 runs with the help of 7 fours and 2 sixes.

After the dramatic end of Indian innings, Sri Lanka started with the proceedings very badly. The very first ball of their innings opener Dimuth Karunaratne was caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha off Mohammad Shami.
Dhananjaya de Silva came in after Karunaratne but was adjudged leg before wicket off pacer Ishant Sharma in the sixth over.

Ishant’s in cutter was pitched on length and came back in to beat de Silva’s and hit him on the back leg. The ball would have crashed into the top of off stump. He consulted with his partner over a review before deciding to walk off.
Sri Lanka were 18/2 in their first innings, trailing by 518 runs against India as Dilruwan Perera (12) and Angelo Mathews (4) were at the crease when the umpires called for the tea break. At second day stump Sri Lanka were 131 for three as Angelo Mathews (57 batting) and Dinesh Chandimal (25 batting) were at the crease. Both the batsmen added 56 runs for the unbroken fourth-wicket stand.