The Delhi pollution is getting severe, and desperate players are wearing masks in a bid to beat it. But BCCI is simply washing its hands off the subject and pleading its helplessness.
The BCCI on Friday categorically rejected demands from players to shift all domestic games out of Delhi till the weather improves. At present Railways are playing their Ranji match against Mumbai while Delhi under 23 is playing against Baroda at Feroz Shah Kotla.
A BCCI official told Wah Cricket, "We have read reports of Delhi pollution and also seen how players are wearing masks but we cannot shift games out of Delhi at this stage. Last year, it was during end November and this time is early. So, there is no definite period of one month if we have to shift games. Also, this season there are so many games, so many age groups, to shift one game means shifting all games. At this stage, it's not possible. Also what is the guarantee that teams playing in NCR like Haryana and UP don't ask for similar action? So it's not feasible for us,” the official said.
Delhi Ranji team is busy practising at the nets and plays its first Ranji encounter on November 12. Services are the third team based out of Delhi, which is struggling to cope up with the weather.
Delhi is slated to hold a minimum of 9 Ranji games from three teams besides hosting the Syed Mushtaq Ali he's in February apart from a slew of games in age group tournaments.
The pollution watch board has already sent an alert asking residents not to even go out jogging and avoid being outdoors.