Interruptions continued on the second day, with Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal receiving treatment from the physio after feeling uneasy on his way to a century in reply to India’s mammoth first-innings total. His team had complained of the effects of poor air quality on Day 1, with many of the tourists’ players wearing face masks at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground in air pollution 18 times higher than the safe level.

Sri Lankan coach Nic Pothas said his players were coming off the field to vomit as the game was frequently stopped while the umpires consulted team doctors.

He added: “There were oxygen cylinders in the dressing room. It is not normal for players to suffer in that way while playing the game.

“Under most circumstances, we wanted to play cricket. We just wanted to have some clarity on the safety of players.”

India declared on 536-7 in an innings dominated by captain Virat Kohli’s 243 and Murali Vijay’s 155.

India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun said of the controversy: “Virat batted close to two days and he didn’t need a mask! We are focused on what we need to do. The conditions are the same for both teams, we aren’t too bothered about it.”