BCCI Confirms Delhi Will Host India-Sri Lanka ODI as Scheduled

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially dismissed media reports suggesting that the opening One Day International (ODI) match between India and Sri Lanka would be shifted from Delhi to Ahmedabad. Concerns had been raised recently regarding the viability of the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the national capital, with speculation suggesting that ongoing construction work might necessitate a change of venue for the series opener.Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, addressed the matter on Monday, stating that the reports were inaccurate. In an official communication, he clarified that no such decision has been reached by the governing body. Saikia further emphasized that the allocation of bilateral matches follows a standard policy and that there has been no change in the previously announced schedule for the upcoming series."Reports suggesting that the India–Sri Lanka ODI match scheduled in Delhi may be shifted to Ahmedabad are not accurate. There has been no such decision by the BCCI. We request media colleagues to kindly refer to official BCCI communications for any updates regarding the schedule," Saikia stated. He reiterated that the board adheres to established protocols when assigning match venues, dismissing the claims of a late venue switch.According to the official schedule released by the board, the first ODI of the series is set to take place in Delhi on December 13. Ahmedabad remains on the schedule, but it is currently designated to host the third and final match of the ODI series on December 19. In addition to the three ODIs, the touring Sri Lankan side is also scheduled to compete in three T20 International matches against the Indian team.Despite the official clarification, the timing of the match in Delhi has previously been a subject of discussion due to seasonal air quality concerns. Historically, the capital's pollution levels have caused significant disruption to cricketing activities during the months of October to December. A notable instance occurred in 2017 when Sri Lankan bowler Suranga Lakmal required medical assistance and was escorted off the field after experiencing physical distress during a match in Delhi, which prompted the BCCI to state at the time that future scheduling during this period would be approached with caution.More recently, during the 2023 World Cup, the air quality again became a point of focus at the Arun Jaitley Stadium during a match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. During that event, both teams opted to cancel their scheduled training sessions, and some players who did participate in optional training chose to wear face masks as a precautionary measure.While the board has now clarified that the venue remains unchanged, the intersection of air quality management and international sports scheduling in North India remains a recurring topic in cricket circles. As of now, fans and stakeholders can expect the series to proceed according to the original itinerary provided by the board, with the opening fixture slated to be held at its original location in New Delhi.