NEW DELHI — The first One Day International between India and Sri Lanka is set to be moved out of the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, the Delhi and District Cricket Association said, citing air quality concerns and stadium renovation work.
The DDCA has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India to shift the December 13 match out of the national capital, according to sources. The association cited the city's poor air quality at this time of year, noting that Delhi recorded an average AQI of 351 last December. Sources said the DDCA is concerned about player health, referencing a 2017 Test match between India and Sri Lanka where opposing players were seen vomiting on the field due to air quality.
"More than the renovation work, we want the match to be moved because of AQI in Delhi," a source familiar with the development told Cricbuzz.
The stadium is undergoing renovation work, but the DDCA said the air quality is the primary consideration. The request comes as Delhi faces notoriously high pollution levels this time of year. Last December, the capital recorded an average AQI of 351, with similar levels recorded recently.
The BCCI had previously dismissed reports of a venue change. On October 12, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia categorically denied plans to shift the game, stating: "Reports suggesting that the India-Sri Lanka ODI match scheduled in Delhi may be shifted to Ahmedabad are not accurate. There has been no such decision by the BCCI." Saikia added that bilateral matches are primarily allotted by following a standard policy.
The three-match ODI series was originally scheduled with the first match in Delhi, followed by matches in Bengaluru on December 16 and Ahmedabad on December 19. The BCCI will now have to rejig the schedule of the series if the DDCA's request is approved.
Saikia had earlier requested media colleagues to refer to official BCCI communications for any updates regarding the schedule.
