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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stood by its decision to schedule the India vs South Africa Test match in Delhi from November 14-18, 2025, despite concerns over the city’s worsening air quality during that time of the year.
Delhi’s pollution levels tend to rise sharply in November, with post-Diwali fireworks, stubble burning in neighboring states, and weather conditions often pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) into hazardous zones. Cricket matches in the city have been affected before, most notably in 2017, when Sri Lankan players wore masks due to breathing difficulties during a Test, and in 2019, when Bangladeshi players reportedly vomited on the field due to the poor air quality.
However, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has defended the scheduling decision, stating that all factors, including pollution concerns, were considered before finalizing the venue. He reiterated that the board follows a rotation policy when allotting matches and that pollution levels fluctuate from year to year.
“We have considered all factors and have gone by the rotation policy after discussing it with everyone. The pollution issue doesn’t happen every year,” Saikia told The Indian Express.
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Delhi Cricket Officials Assure Safety Measures
Ashok Sharma, secretary of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), supported the decision, noting that the Arun Jaitley Stadium is in a more open area with better air circulation compared to other parts of the city. He confirmed that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure player safety.
“All possible steps will be taken to make sure players are comfortable. Also, Arun Jaitley Stadium is in a relatively open area with more greenery, so the air quality is better than most parts of the city,” Sharma said.
He further emphasized that Delhi had not hosted a Test match in some time, and the BCCI’s decision to allot the game was based on the rotational system.
Delhi’s Pollution: A Recurring Challenge for Cricket
Over the years, several cricket matches in Delhi have been disrupted by air pollution:
- 2016: Two Ranji Trophy matches were canceled due to poor air quality.
- 2017: Sri Lankan players wore masks and struggled with breathing difficulties during a Test match.
- 2019: Bangladesh cricketers complained of breathing issues during an ODI match.
- 2023-24: Several domestic matches were affected by rising AQI levels.
Despite these past issues, the BCCI remains firm on hosting the match in Delhi, banking on improved air quality measures and better environmental conditions in November compared to December.
However, with Delhi’s AQI reaching alarming levels in previous years—peaking at 999 in November 2024, the highest recorded—whether the match will go ahead without issues remains to be seen.
