By Admin 
Delhi Pollution: The increasing air pollution in Delhi has started affecting the common people as well as the sports world. The air in the capital has reached such a bad level these days that organizing open sports events has become risky. In view of this serious situation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a big decision. The board has shifted the knockout matches of the Under-23 ODI tournament to be held in Delhi with immediate effect. Now these matches will be played not in Delhi but in Mumbai.
Now Mumbai will become the host instead of Delhi
According to the report of Indian Express, the knockout round starting next week was to be held in Delhi, but in view of the continuously deteriorating AQI, BCCI decided to change the venue. Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) sources have confirmed that the board has contacted them and asked them to start preparations to hold the match between November 25 and December 1.
The air quality index of Delhi-NCR has remained between 350 to 400 for the last one week, which falls in the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ category. In such a situation, considering the health of the players, holding an open-air match was risky. For this reason, the board chose Mumbai instead of Delhi, where at present both the weather and air quality are better.
Impact on schedule also, waiting for knockout timetable
The last round of the group stage is to be completed on November 21, after which the knockout schedule will be officially released. However, the board has already asked Mumbai to prepare, which makes it clear that the decision is final.
Match shifted from Delhi for the second time this season
This is not the first change due to Delhi’s continuously worsening pollution. BCCI has had to change the schedule for the second time in the current cricket season. Earlier, the opening match of India vs South Africa Test series was to be held in Delhi from 14th November, but in view of the possibility of increase in pollution in November, the board changed the venue to Kolkata. Earlier, permission was given to conduct the Test only against West Indies in Delhi from 10 to 14 October.
Players’ health priority
The continuously dangerous level of AQI in Delhi is not only affecting the normal life, but has also become a big threat to the fitness and performance of the players. For this reason the board has taken this decision as a precautionary measure.