The opening One-Day International between India and Sri Lanka slated to be played in the national capital on December 13 is likely to be moved out due to pollution and outfield revamp.
With pollution at its peak in the months of November and December being a major factor, the Delhi and District Cricket Association has requested the BCCI to move the game out of Delhi also because of the outfield work currently underway at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
A sand-based outfield is being laid and the work will go on for the next three months.
According to a Cricbuzz report, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to shift the game, citing concerns over pollution levels and ongoing renovation work at the venue.
“Pollution is a major factor and then there is renovation work going on. So we have requested the BCCI to move the game out of Delhi,” a DDCA source told PTI.
India and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play three ODIs and as many T20Is in December.
Last December, the national capital recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 351, with similar readings observed on Monday (November 2).
Lanka in December 2017 when some Sri Lankan players fell ill due to poor air quality.
The association has also requested another game sometime next year.
Initially, the BCCI had denied reports of the match being moved out, with secretary Devajit Saikia firmly rejecting any plans to shift the game.
However, with DDCA now requesting a venue change, it seems likely that the board may have no choice but to comply.
This match was supposed to be the first of three ODIs in this series, with two others scheduled for Bengaluru on December 16 and Ahmedabad on December 19.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium is undergoing major redevelopment, including replacing the existing outfield with a sand-based surface. The upgrade is aimed at improving drainage and reducing waterlogging on the field.
However, this renovation work is likely to keep the stadium out of action for cricket until IPL 2027.
A source familiar with the project told The Hindu that it would take around four months to complete.