IND vs BAN, 1st T20I: Match Referee May Call Off Series Opener At Smog-Engulfed Delhi

The DDCA officials and groundsmen are keeping fingers crossed that the smog settles down in time before the commencement of the game, scheduled for a 7 pm start.

The series opener of the 3-match T20 international series between India and Bangladesh slated to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium later on Sunday evening may be called off owing to poor visibility due to the dense smog which looms large over the skies across the national capital region since morning. As per ABP News report, the match referee will take a call over whether the game should be played or cancelled considering the fact that poor visibility level amid the  dense smog cover could be a major hampering force in smooth conduct of the match. The national capital region witnessed showers on Sunday morning which worsened the air quality index rather than improving it. A thick layer of smog engulfed the national capital region making the visibility levels really low ahead of the first T20I which is scheduled to begin at 7 pm (IST) . The Air Quality Index (AQI) in certain regions of the national capital hovered close to the 900 mark, clearly indicating extremely high pollution levels. The DDCA officials and groundsmen are keeping fingers crossed that the smog settles down in time before the commencement of the game, scheduled for a 7 pm start. Speaking to IANS, a senior DDCA official said that the groundstaff are helpless in such a scenario and it all now depends on nature and prayers.

"Contrary to the belief that showers on Saturday would have helped settle things down, today is the worst of the lot. The eyes are hurting and visibility is at an all-time low. Hopefully the sun does come out and the smog settles else it will be very difficult to get the match going. We are helpless in such a scenario and can only pray that the match happens," the official said.

Asked if the call will be taken solely by the match referee, the official said it will involve the umpires and the groundstaff could also be consulted. "The call has to be taken by the match referee and he will consult the umpires. They can also check with the groundstaff to decide on the fate of the match if the condition stays the way it is. But then again, you never know with the weather and things could change in the evening. But if you go by the current scenario, things are a little grim to be honest," he said. With the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) on Friday declaring a public health emergency in Delhi-NCR due to severe air pollution, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly checked with India skipper Rohit Sharma if the team is comfortable with the conditions and the stand-in captain gave the chief the thumbs up.