New Delhi: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has defended the board’s decision to hold an India-South Africa Test in Delhi between November 14 to 18, a time of the year when the national capital struggles with high levels of air pollution. In recent years, the situation has been getting out of hand in terms of controlling the menace from November to February.
“We have considered all factors and have gone by the rotation policy after discussing it with everyone. The pollution issue doesn’t happen every year,” the Indian Express quoted Saikia as saying. It is understood that on the Air Quality Index (AQI), a reading of over 300 is considered “very poor” and over 400 is said to be “severe”. The AQI in Delhi, last year on November 18, stood at 999.
However, as per the New York Times, Delhi’s AQI on that day was at 1600, as measured by the Swiss company IQAir. It resulted in lockdown-like conditions with people being advised to step out of their homes only in an emergency. The schools were shut and outdoor activities were barred when they reopened.
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The BCCI had dropped India’s home fixtures for the 2025-26 season which has a Test game scheduled in Delhi in November. The decision has received backlash due to the severe pollution concern in the national capital. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
