BCCI gives green light for T20 in Delhi amid worrying pollution levels

The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has given a go-ahead for the first T20 game between India and Bangladesh scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi amid worrying pollution levels in the city. The quality of air in the nation's capital reached hazardous levels after the festival of Diwali following which multiple pleas were made to the Board to shift the venue. The BCCI, however, has decided to stick to its plan and has given a green light for the match to take place as scheduled in Delhi. Questions are continued to be posed to BCCI as to how the players will be able to play a complete 40-over contest as Bangladesh players were seen training at the Arun Jaitley Stadium wearing masks to protect themselves from the polluted air. 

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Bangladesh players wear masks as they train in Delhi

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Bishan Bedi voices concerns over the game in Delhi

Former Indian cricketer Bishan Bedi voiced concerns over the first T20 being held at Kotla in Delhi amid the 'hazardous air quality' in the nation's capital. Bangladesh is scheduled to take on India in the first T20 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on November 3. Bishan Bedi took to Twitter to express his concerns and said that thought should be spared for the Indian and Bangladeshi cricketers who were set to play in Delhi. Bishan Bedi urged the people to accept the man-made fatalities with nature and questioned if a polluted city like Delhi deserved any sporting event at all. 

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BCCI won't shift the venue

Notwithstanding taking a "serious note" of the deteriorating air pollution index of Delhi post-Diwali, the BCCI has ruled out any possibility of shifting out the venue of India's first T20 match against Bangladesh at the "eleventh hour." The match will be held as scheduled at Arun Jaitley Stadium (Feroz Shah Kotla) on November 3 (Sunday) as the Board was contemplating taking all measures with various agencies to put down the pollution level.

"Yes, its a matter of serious concern. The pollution level is very high. But we have taken permission from Delhi Pollution Control Committee and they gave us Sunday as a clear day so we have decided to fix the venue after their consultation. We just have to see how the present level can be brought down. We are in talks with local bodies. But the shifting of the venue was never on. There was no time for it and logistics won't have permitted such a shift. Pollution level is lower than the previous years' post-Diwali but yes, its still very high," BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told Republic TV in a telephonic conversation.

When asked whether the dates could be changed, the BCCI official said that at this stage it was not advisable keeping all factors in mind. "The fact that the match is only 20 overs each is a matter of relief. We have seen ODI happening in extremely polluted conditions in Delhi in the past, Ranji Trophy matches happening with players wearing a mask. I don't think such a situation will arise on Nov 3 which is also a Sunday," he noted.

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