The men’s Under-23 one-day knockout matches have been relocated from Delhi to Mumbai because to excessive air pollution in the national capital. With air pollution reaching unsafe levels, the board rescheduled the fixtures to protect players and guarantee the tournament ran smoothly. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) will now host the matches, which were initially scheduled for Delhi, from November 25 to December 1.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s air quality has fluctuated between’very poor’ and’severe’, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 400 in numerous regions. Despite little improvements on rare mornings, the general situation has remained hazardous for several days. Forecasts from the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ Air Quality Early Warning System indicate that conditions will worsen in the following week.
With the Supreme Court of India recently advising against outdoor sports activities in the region, the BCCI was under pressure to reconsider Delhi’s ability to stage high-level domestic cricket in such conditions.
According to reports, the BCCI verbally directed the MCA to prepare multiple venues on short notice. Although the decision has not yet been formally revealed through a press release, logistical preparations have already begun. Grounds, match-day operations, and team arrangements are all being rearranged to accommodate the revised schedule.
MCA confirms receiving instructions from BCCI
A source from the MCA confirmed receiving instructions from the board, stating that cricket simply cannot be played safely in Delhi’s present conditions. The last league-stage match of the tournament is scheduled in Vadodara on November 21, after which eight teams will compete in the relocated knockout phase.
This is not the first instance of pollution affecting cricket scheduling in Delhi. Earlier this year, a Test match against South Africa was moved from Delhi to Kolkata due to anticipated pollution levels. The reallocation saw Delhi instead hosting a Test against the West Indies in October.
Delhi has also faced criticism in the past for hosting matches during peak pollution periods. The most notable incident occurred during the 2017 Test against Sri Lanka, when several players were seen wearing masks, and play was halted due to breathlessness, nausea, and poor visibility.
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