Delhi's Toxic Air Forces Cricket Shift to Mumbai, Casting Doubt on Upcoming Matches

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made the unprecedented decision to relocate the knockout rounds of the Under-23 men's cricket Trophy Elite division from Delhi to Mumbai due to the national capital's severe air pollution. According to official correspondence between the BCCI and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), the decision was made to ensure the safety of players and officials. The knockout matches, scheduled to take place between November 25 and December 1, will now be held at the Sharad Pawar Academy ground and the Wankhede stadium. Mumbai, which is already hosting the Cooch Behar Trophy matches starting December 1, may also have to reschedule its events due to the potential for further disruptions. The decision to relocate the matches comes after weeks of hazardous air quality in Delhi, with the city recording 16 days of 'very poor' air and three days of 'severe' air this month. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ordered schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) to suspend outdoor activities and sports earlier this week, highlighting the severity of the situation. The BCCI had initially hoped that the air quality would improve, but with the weather forecast for December not looking promising, officials are now exploring alternative locations for the women's U-23 T20 Trophy Elite division matches scheduled between December 5-11. The Supreme Court has called for constant monitoring of pollution levels throughout the year, but for the BCCI and the U-23 knockouts, time is running out. The decision to relocate the matches serves as a stark reminder of the impact of air pollution on India's domestic cricket calendar.