Ranji Trophy: Delhi pollution grips cricket; Day 1 of 2 matches called off at Kotla and Karnali

Photo: Mohandas menon (twitter) New Delhi: The smog cover in the capital today caused cancellation of the first day's play in two Ranji Trophy games here with players complaining of irritation in eyes and breathing problems. The matches cancelled were group A league encounter between Bengal and Gujarat at the Feroz Shah Kotla and group C match at Karnail Singh Stadium between Tripura and Hyderabad. While poor light has been a reason for play being called off, it's a rarity that players from both teams complain of burning eyes and breathing problem even when the light had considerably improved for an hour in the afternoon. The post-Diwali smog, leading to low visibility and poor air quality, led to multiple inspections but health of the players was paramount for the match officials. At Kotla, both Manoj Tiwary and Parthiv Patel went out for toss but match referee P Ranganathan along with umpires Virender Sharma and Krishnamachari Bharathan decided against it. At 4 pm, umpires officially called off after multiple inspections. Bengal coach Sairaj Bahutule said: "The players were complaining that they were having burning sensation in their eyes. It's bad out there." In fact Bengal bowling coach Ranadeb Bose was wearing a mask due to toxic air. One of the DDCA officials told PTI: "The players also complained of breathing problems. If you stay out there for an hour, the air that you inhale will cause irreparable damage to the lungs." The situation in Delhi is so bad that there is prediction of smog continuing and little cricket being played.