NEW DELHI: The Sri Lanka cricket board has complained to the sport’s governing body about the poor air quality in which its players have been compelled to play a Test match in the Indian capital.
Sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said Sri Lanka Cricket made the complaint on Tuesday to the International Cricket Council, saying “we can’t play like this as four players had vomited” due to the pollution. Sri Lanka’s cricketers wore face masks during the match and the bowlers complained of shortness of breath. Jayasekara said the ICC had informed them that it will take necessary steps. However, it is not certain what action ICC had taken.
On the field, debutant Sri Lankan Roshen Silva batted for 184 minutes on day five yesterday to force a draw.
Chasing 410, Sri Lanka was on 299-5 when play was called off with seven overs remaining in the mandatory hour of play. At stumps, Silva was unbeaten on 74 while Niroshan Dickwella was 44 not out.
India had scored 536-7d and 246-5d in their two innings. Sri Lanka had made 373 in the first innings.
As a result, India won the three-match series 1-0 after winning in Nagpur by an innings and 239 runs. The first Test in Kolkata was drawn.
This is India’s ninth consecutive test series win since 2017, including a 3-0 win in Sri Lanka in July-August this year. India has equaled Australia’s record of nine series wins from 2005-08.
Sri Lanka complains to ICC on air pollution at Delhi game
Sri Lanka complains to ICC on air pollution at Delhi game
Rodrygo’s winner lifts Real Madrid past Alaves to end losing streak
- The victory keeps Real second in the standings on 39 points, four adrift of Barcelona, while Alaves are 12th on 18 points
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain: Rodrygo secured Real Madrid a crucial 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday in LaLiga, ending a dismal run of form and keeping them within four points of leaders Barcelona.
Real, under pressure after two straight losses in all competitions, broke the deadlock through Kylian Mbappe’s stunning first-half strike.
However, a resilient Alaves levelled in the 68th minute through Carlos Vicente. The visitors restored their lead eight minutes later, courtesy of a counter-attack led by Vinicius Jr, whose assist was converted by Rodrygo.
The victory keeps Real second in the standings on 39 points, four adrift of Barcelona, while Alaves are 12th on 18 points.
The narrow triumph in the Basque Country provided manager Xabi Alonso with much-needed breathing space after a run of two wins from their previous eight matches across all competitions.
Sunday’s victory demonstrated Real’s resilience and ongoing weaknesses. Despite taking a 24th-minute lead through Mbappe’s spectacular strike, they found themselves outplayed by an Alaves side roared on by a sold-out Mendizorrotza stadium.
Mbappe had opened the scoring in trademark fashion after Jude Bellingham threaded a long pass to the French forward, who ran down the left channel before cutting inside and unleashing a bullet strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Despite Real’s early lead, Alaves grew dominant as the first half progressed. The hosts pressured Real’s makeshift defense, which featured 19-year-old academy graduate Victor Valdepenas in his senior debut at left back.
Alaves’ pressure was eventually rewarded in the 68th minute when substitute Vicente, introduced moments earlier, latched onto Antonio Blanco’s long ball and surged past Real’s high defensive line to finish into the top corner.
Initially flagged offside, Vicente’s goal was awarded after a VAR review confirmed the forward had timed his run perfectly.
Real’s winner came as Vinicius wrestled past a defender on the left flank before driving into the penalty area and delivering a low cross, finding Rodrygo, who slid in to steer the ball home from close range.
“It was a tough, very competitive match,” Alonso told a press conference.
“We started well and took the lead, but then we lost control and, as a result, we didn’t finish well. We had chances in the second half, but we conceded from the only mistake Valdepenas made and Carlos Vicente took advantage of that, after a great pass.
“But the team continued to fight hard, battling it out in a difficult stadium against a very intense opponent. That second goal gave us the three points and we’re leaving here very happy.”
