DDCA confident of hosting first T20I against Bangladesh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 28

Despite the Air Quality Index (AQI) in and around Delhi ranging from severe to unhealthy, there are no plans to shift the first T20I between India and Bangladesh at the Ferozeshah Kotla on November 3 from the Capital. 

The pollution has dogged the city for years now. A combination of issues, including bursting of crackers and stubble burning, has seen the citizens gasping for breath after Diwali. And the travelling teams have struggled to cope up with the winter haze. In 2017, the Sri Lankan team wore masks after experiencing breathing problems and dizziness during a Test match against India at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

Last year, Mumbai’s Siddhesh Lad batted with a mask on against Railways in the Ranji Trophy encounter at the Karnail Singh Stadium. Delhi was ruled out as the venue for the U-17 World Cup football knockout matches for the same reason.

Despite all the concerns, Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) is confident that the match will not be moved away to a new venue. DDCA joint secretary Rajan Manchanda said the match was very much on. “We have not heard anything from the BCCI in this regard. We are gearing up for the match,” he said. Manchanda added that he was concerned due to the rising pollution level. “We are in touch with the fire department and I think they will be sprinkling water in and around the stadium to try and reduce air pollution due to dust. We are doing all we can,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh team is scheduled to fly down to Delhi on Wednesday. The visiting team has plans to practice on Thursday. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, will train on November 1 and 2 before the Sunday’s match.