India-Sri Lanka first ODI shifted from Delhi to Visakhapatnam over weather, renovation concerns

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced that the first One-Day International (ODI) between India and Sri Lanka, scheduled for December 13, had been shifted from Delhi to Visakhapatnam because of potential weather disruptions and renovation work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

The match, originally allotted to the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), will now be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, with the starting time remaining unchanged at 2 pm.

In an official statement, the BCCI said the decision followed a formal request from the DDCA, which had expressed concerns about hosting the international fixture amid ongoing stadium improvements and unfavourable weather conditions in the national capital during December.

The board confirmed that the remaining matches of Sri Lanka's tour of India would proceed according to the original schedule.

𝗗𝗗𝗖𝗔 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲

The DDCA had approached the BCCI earlier this week, citing the renovation of the stadium's playing surface and concerns over Delhi's weather and pollution levels during the winter months.

A DDCA source had said the association was not in a position to organise the December 13 fixture because renovation work was underway at the venue.

The Arun Jaitley Stadium has been undergoing an outfield upgrade, including the installation of a sand-based surface designed to improve drainage and reduce waterlogging.

The work was expected to continue for several months, making it difficult for the association to prepare the ground for an international match.

Delhi's deteriorating air quality during November and December was another major concern, particularly given the possibility of disruptions to training sessions and match proceedings.

The DDCA subsequently requested that the opening ODI be moved to another venue.

𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗵𝗶'𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀

The decision also brought renewed attention to the difficulties associated with hosting international cricket in Delhi during winter, when pollution levels frequently rise.

During Sri Lanka's Test match against India at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in December 2017, several visiting players complained of breathing difficulties, and some wore protective masks on the field.

Air pollution also disrupted preparations during the 2023 ODI World Cup, when Sri Lanka and Bangladesh cancelled outdoor training sessions ahead of their match in Delhi.

The combination of renovation work and potential weather-related interruptions prompted the DDCA to seek a change rather than risk disruption to the forthcoming international fixture.

𝗕𝗖𝗖𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁

The latest announcement came 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 such decision had been taken and that the match remained allotted to Delhi under the board's venue allocation policy.

However, the DDCA's subsequent formal request, citing the condition of the ground and possible weather disruptions, led to the venue being changed to Visakhapatnam.

The revised arrangement was confirmed through an official BCCI media advisory issued on Thursday.

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝘅𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱

Sri Lanka's tour of India will feature three ODIs followed by three T20 Internationals.

After the opening ODI in Visakhapatnam on December 13, the second match will be played in Bengaluru on December 16, followed by the third ODI in Ahmedabad on December 19. All three ODIs are scheduled to begin at 2 pm.

The T20I series will begin in Rajkot on December 22, with the second match scheduled for Cuttack on December 24 and the final encounter in Pune on December 27. The T20I matches will begin at 7 pm.

India are currently touring New Zealand for a five-match ODI series followed by two Tests before returning home for the Sri Lanka assignment.

The BCCI said no other changes had been made to the six-match home series, with Visakhapatnam replacing Delhi as the only alteration to the itinerary.