First day, first controversy in the Ranji Trophy. Just hours after Gautam Gambhir tweeted a picture of Delhi which went viral to highlight it's hazardous air quality, Mumbai player Siddhesh Lad batted wearing a mask during the second session between Railways and Mumbai at the Karnail Singh stadium.
Although Siddhesh came out to bat in the first session itself, he came out post lunch wearing a black mask to reignite the debate of putting cricketers’ health at risk by playing in this weather.
As many as three Ranji sides -- Delhi, Railways and Services have their home based out of Delhi while UP are expected to play a couple of games in NCR.
With the weather expected to get worse in the coming weeks, the pressure is on the BCCI to bail out the cricketers. However, logistical challenges remain with increasing number of matches, forcing the Bcci on the backfoot over any possible changes. Apart from the Ranji games, a host of age group games in both men and women are scheduled to be held in Delhi in the coming month.
Two seasons back two games in Delhi, including at the Karnail Stadium, were aborted due to heavy pollution.