November Test in India’s capital reignites debate over cricket and environmental risk
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has defended its decision to schedule a Test match in New Delhi this coming November, despite growing concerns over the city’s well-documented air pollution levels during that time of year.
The match, part of India’s 2025 home season, is set to take place during a period often marked by hazardous post-Diwali smog. The announcement has rekindled debate about the appropriateness of hosting international cricket in Delhi during its most environmentally volatile months.
BCCI cites venue rotation policy and historical variation
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia responded to public concern by referencing the board’s venue allocation process. “We have considered all factors and have gone by the rotation policy after discussing it with everyone,” he told The Indian Express. “The pollution issue doesn’t happen every year.”
The rotation policy is BCCI’s system of ensuring equal opportunity among India’s stadiums to host marquee fixtures. Given Delhi’s large fan base and importance as a cricket hub, the city was due for a high-profile Test under this system.
Previous incidents raise red flags for player safety
This is not the first time Delhi’s air quality has become a point of concern for cricket scheduling. In 2017, a Test match between India and Sri Lanka was marred by players wearing face masks and even vomiting on the field due to severe smog. The incident drew international criticism and sparked discussion about athlete safety in polluted conditions.
Critics argue that scheduling another match in Delhi during the same season disregards scientific air quality data, which has consistently shown dangerous pollution levels in late October and November.
Health experts and activists urge greater accountability
Environmental activists and public health experts have called on the BCCI to set a new standard by avoiding fixtures in Delhi during its high-risk months. They say the board should prioritize player welfare and send a clear message on environmental responsibility.
Despite this, the BCCI maintains that unless circumstances become extreme, it will uphold its current scheduling strategy based on venue equity across the country.
Eyes on Delhi’s skies as Test date nears
With the scheduled November 2025 Test match on the horizon, attention now turns to how Delhi’s air quality develops in the weeks leading up to the fixture. Should conditions deteriorate again, the BCCI’s decision—and its commitment to balancing tradition with health—will come under renewed scrutiny.
