Major cricket tournament shifted from Delhi to Mumbai due to severe air pollution
Delhi won't be able to host the knockout segment of the competition, and the Mumbai Cricket Association is likely to host all knockout fixtures from 25 November to 1 December after the BCCI verbally requested the MCA to prepare the venues
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has moved the knockout stage of the annual men's Under-23 one-day tournament from Delhi to Mumbai, due to severe air pollution in the national capital, according to a report in The Indian Express.
The decision means that Delhi won't be able to host the knockout segment of the competition, and the Mumbai Cricket Association is likely to host all knockout fixtures from 25 November to 1 December after the BCCI verbally requested the MCA to prepare the venues.
Air-quality index in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) have plunged to the 'very poor' and even 'severe' categories, raising significant health risks.
MCA asked to prepare multiple venues for U-23 One-day tournament
Although the BCCI hasn't made the official announcement yet, media reports confirm that the decision was taken verbally. The MCA has been asked to get multiple venues in readiness, along with logistics and match-day operations.
With this decision, the board has also avoided potential criticism for allowing high-profile domestic cricket to continue under hazardous air conditions.
Delhi, earlier this year, lost a Test match against South Africa, scheduled for the first week of November. The opening Test of the ongoing series between India and South Africa was moved out of Delhi and shifted to Kolkata after the BCCI faced criticism for originally scheduling the Test in the capital at a time when pollution levels typically reach hazardous levels.
Originally, Kolkata was set to host a Test against the West Indies in October and Delhi the match against South Africa, but the venues were swapped after the backlash.
In 2017, several Sri Lankan players were forced to wear face masks, while some suffered vomiting and breathlessness during the India vs Sri Lanka Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.