It all began when at least 8 Sri Lankan players walked out for the post-Lunch session on Day 2 wearing protective masks.

Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal sought umpires Joel Wilson and Nigel Llong to complain about the poor air quality.

Lahiru Gamage stopped between deliveries, struggling to breathe comfortably as the air around Delhi got heavier due to smog.

Virat Kohli and R Ashwin deemed conditions were okay to continue even as Sri Lanka's players engaged the umpires in long discussions.

When play resumed after a 17-minute break, Lahiru Gamage removed R Ashwin off the first ball; Virat Kohli fell soon after for a personal-best 243.

Sri Lanka faced a dearth of available fielders with Gamage and Lakmal walking back in and Samarawickrama already out due to a mild concussion.

Sri Lanka had Manoj Abeywickrama, the fielding coach, and Nic Lee, the trainer, in whites to come on as substitute fielders even as head coach Nic Pothas tried to reason with the umpires.

An unimpressed India coach Ravi Shastri entered the field of play to offer his team's position while match referee David Boon consulted with a medical practitioner .

A frustrated Virat Kohli eventually declared India's innings at 536/7, indicating that his team was willing to bowl under these conditions.

The 15934-strong crowd expressed their displeasure at the drama, booing the Sri Lankans off the field.