The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on December 13, could be moved to another venue due to rising pollution levels in the national capital.
According to a report by Cricbuzz on Monday, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), requesting the board to shift the series opener out of Delhi.
The DDCA has reportedly raised concerns over the city’s poor air quality and the ongoing renovation work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. However, pollution appears to be the bigger concern for the state association.
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Delhi Pollution A Major Concern For DDCA
With air quality continuing to remain a concern in Delhi, the DDCA does not want to take any chances with an international match.
A source quoted by Cricbuzz said that the association’s main concern was the pollution level rather than the renovation work at the stadium.
“More than the renovation work, we want the match to be moved because of AQI in Delhi,” the source was quoted as saying.
Following the DDCA’s request, the BCCI is now likely to consider shifting the match to another venue.
BCCI Had Earlier Denied Reports Of Venue Change
The possibility of the Delhi ODI being shifted had come up earlier as well. However, the BCCI had dismissed reports suggesting that the match could be moved to Ahmedabad.
On October 12, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that no decision had been taken to change the venue. He also asked media organisations to rely on official board announcements for updates regarding the schedule.
“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 had said.
However, with the DDCA now formally requesting a change, the situation could be different.
India vs Sri Lanka ODI And T20I Schedule
The three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin in Delhi on December 13. The second ODI will be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on December 16, while the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the third match on December 19.
Following the ODI series, the two teams will also meet in a three-match T20I series.
The T20I matches are scheduled to take place in Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune on December 22, 24 and 27, respectively.