Recently completed Test match between India and Sri Lanka at Feroz Shah Kotla was completely filled with a lot of action. Indian skipper Virat Kohli scored his record-breaking sixth double century. Followed by some annoying drama and uncalled pauses by Sri Lankans. It was, probably, the first time an international match was disrupted for the reason of bad pollution.
The Sri Lankan players were seen wearing masks to protect themselves from the bad weather condition in New Delhi. The drama didn’t just seem to stop and there were perplexed scenes at the Kotla time and again. First Gamage and then Lakmal both walked off leaving their overs in between. The game was stopped again and again for this apparent ploy from Sri Lanka.
Whether it was a tactic or a genuine issue they faced is something only they would know. It made the Indian skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri furious. We also saw Ravi walking down the ground regarding the issue. Despite the big target on the board, the visitors managed to draw the match. However, team India won the 3-match Test series 1-0.
Now, the two teams reached Dharamsala for their 1st ODI.
After the 3rd Test match, the Sri Lankan team was heavily trolled for wearing masks and trying to stop the match criticizing the bad weather condition. Everyone reacted to the incident and recently, team India coach Ravi Shastri took a jibe on the visitor’s act. He was in an absolutely savage mode when he posted a tweet.
Shastri’s tweet was an indirect dig at the Sri Lankan team who have managed to frustrate the Indian side in many ways in the recent times. As the action moves to Dharamsala for the first ODI, Shastri found the best way to troll the visiting side. Dharamsala is a city full of greenery and is known for its scenic beauty.
Amidst this backdrop, Ravi Shastri took to the micro-blogging site Twitter and noted to the visiting team that they could breathe fresh air in Dharamsala. “Breathe easy in Dharamsala #TeamIndia #INDvSL,” the tweet read.
Breathe easy in Dharamsala #TeamIndia #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/DpvQZ7KQfq
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) December 8, 2017
Haha, how was that?
Fans started contemplating if that was directed towards the Sri Lankan cricket team who faced major smog-related issues in New Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
Twitter Reactions:
R8…no pollution in dharmshala 🤣🤣…yaha nautnki nahi chalegi…
— Swapnil kalamkar (@Swapnilkalamk12) December 8, 2017
Breathe easy all around SRI Lanka #IndvsSL
— Ahmed Mafaz (@am_maf14) December 8, 2017
Savage reply 👌👌👌😂😂
— Yogesh Reddy (@yogesh_thinks) December 8, 2017
What do u mean Mr Shastri?
— suri (@suri71279) December 8, 2017
hahahahahaha….may be @OfficialSLC say they cant play close to mountain,because its so cold.
— The Cricket World : Asia (@tcwasia) December 8, 2017
It was recently understood that the International Cricket Council (ICC) might incorporate air pollution in its ‘Playing Conditions’ clause, after seeing the plight of Sri Lankan cricketers during the recently-concluded Test match against India in the national capital.
“The ICC has noted the conditions in which Delhi Test was played and has already requested that the issue is considered by the medical committee for guidance should the situation arise in future. The matter is likely to be discussed in February’s ICC Meetings,” an ICC spokesperson told on Friday.