On Wednesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared the Indian men’s cricket team’s home schedule for 2025, and fans have a lot to look forward to. They’ll host both the West Indies and South Africa between October and December. The West Indies will come for two Test matches, while South Africa will be busy playing two Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs), and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
But there’s been some chatter about the timing of the first Test match against South Africa, which is set for November in Delhi. This has raised concerns due to the notorious air pollution the city usually faces at that time. Critics wonder if holding a big match in a place known for its air quality issues is a good idea. Despite this, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia seems unconcerned. He mentioned that the air pollution issue isn’t a problem every year, which suggests they’re willing to go ahead with the plan.
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Saikia was quoted by The Indian Express, saying, “We’ve looked at everything and decided based on rotation policies after talking to everyone. Pollution isn’t a permanent issue every year.” It’s worth noting, though, that in December 2017, India played a Test against Sri Lanka in Delhi, and several players from the Sri Lankan team reported health issues due to the smog. The Air Quality Index (AQI) back then hit 316 in the first week of December, pointing to very poor air quality. Sri Lankan bowler Suranga Lakmal even had to leave the field feeling nauseous.
On their side, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is promising to do everything they can to keep the players comfortable during the match. DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma said they’re taking all possible measures to ensure the players are okay, mentioning that the Arun Jaitley Stadium is in a more open area that has more greenery, which should help with air quality compared to many other parts of the city.
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Sharma also defended the scheduling, saying that pollution levels in November are usually not as bad as in December. He pointed out that on November 18 last year, the AQI in Delhi dramatically jumped to an alarming 999, prompting warnings for residents to stay indoors and leading to school closures.
Looking back, the city has struggled with pollution-related cancellations in the past. In 2016, two Ranji Trophy matches were called off due to severe smog, with coaches and players complaining about burning eyes and headaches. Most recently, during the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Bangladesh team had to cancel their training sessions ahead of a match in Delhi, again due to air quality concerns. It’s clear that while cricket fans are excited about the upcoming matches, the ongoing issues with pollution continue to bring a cloud of concern over the games scheduled for later this year.
