DDCA asks BCCI to shift India-Sri Lanka ODI out of Delhi over 'pollution, renovation'

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has formally requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to shift the opening One-Day International between India and Sri Lanka out of the national capital, citing ongoing renovation work at Arun Jaitley Stadium and concerns over adverse weather conditions in December.

The match is scheduled for December 13 and will mark the beginning of Sri Lanka's limited-overs tour of India, comprising three ODIs and three T20 Internationals.

According to a DDCA source, the association has informed the BCCI that it is not in a position to organise the fixture because of renovation work and unfavourable conditions in the capital during winter.

"We have officially requested the BCCI that we can't host the India vs Sri Lanka ODI on 13 December because our ground is under renovation, and there is also a weather issue in the same month," the source told ANI.

The official added that the association had communicated its concerns to the board and was awaiting a decision on the proposed relocation.

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻

Delhi's deteriorating air quality during the winter months has emerged as a significant factor behind the request.

The national capital frequently experiences severe pollution during November and December, raising concerns about the health and safety of players participating in outdoor sporting events.

The DDCA is understood to be particularly concerned about the possibility of adverse playing conditions during the December fixture.

The association also wants to avoid a repeat of the difficulties witnessed during the India-Sri Lanka Test match in Delhi in December 2017, when several visiting players experienced discomfort amid poor air quality.

The match attracted international attention after Sri Lankan cricketers wore protective masks on the field and complained about the conditions.

𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺

Apart from pollution concerns, the DDCA cited ongoing renovation work at Arun Jaitley Stadium as another reason for seeking a venue change.

The stadium is undergoing improvements to its playing facilities, including work on the outfield.

The association believes the combination of renovation activities and winter conditions could make it difficult to organise the international fixture as scheduled.

The DDCA has therefore requested the BCCI to consider shifting the match to another venue.

𝗕𝗖𝗖𝗜 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱

The request comes weeks after the BCCI dismissed reports suggesting that the December 13 ODI had already been shifted from Delhi to Ahmedabad.

On October 12, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that no decision had been taken to relocate the match and that international fixtures were allotted according to the board's established venue-allocation policy.

However, the DDCA's formal request has brought the issue back into focus, with a final decision on the venue still awaited.

The ODI series is scheduled to begin in Delhi on December 13, followed by matches in Bengaluru on December 16 and Ahmedabad on December 19.

After the three-match ODI series, India and Sri Lanka will contest three T20 Internationals in Rajkot, Cuttack and Pune.

Any change to the opening ODI venue will require confirmation from the BCCI, which has yet to announce an alternative location.

Meanwhile, the Indian team is currently touring New Zealand after winning the five-match T20I series 3-2. The Shubman Gill-led side will next play a five-match ODI series, beginning in Auckland on Wednesday, followed by two Test matches.