An emergency has been declared in Delhi as the air quality in Delhi worsened despite early morning showers, schools have been, people are being advised to stay indoors as much as possible, however, India and Bangladesh cricketers are locking their horns with each other for the 1st T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Delhi: Latest visuals from outside Arun Jaitley Stadium. India will play Bangladesh in the first T20i match, later today. pic.twitter.com/KehNVZ1Zd1
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2019
On Friday, Delhi registered its worst air quality prompting officials to declare a public health emergency in the capital. Earlier in the morning today, thick smog engulfed Delhi and visibility was an issue. Everyone was expecting that the awaited match will be called off for the same reason but the BCCI confirmed that India and Bangladesh will play as per schedule.
Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricketer and now President of the BCCI had said:
“They [Delhi authorities] are expecting the match to go through. It was already scheduled so we couldn’t cancel it at the last minute”.
He added:
“So, in the future when we schedule, especially the northern part of India in the winter, we’ll have to be a little bit more practical. But fingers crossed.”
Though SDMC and DDCA made special arrangements to cope up with dust and air pollution outside the Arun Jaitley Stadium as water sprinklers are on duty and heavy fines have been ordered against people engaging in construction activities in Stadium. But the fans around the country are not happy at all with the situation.
Fans are slamming the BCCI for their decision of hosting the match in Delhi. Here, have a look at the reactions of twitterati on this:
https://twitter.com/fayedsouza/status/1190984481341132800?s=20
https://twitter.com/FarziCricketer/status/1190915360595169280?s=20
Don’t understand the need to play a t20i at Delhi when it’s reeling under toxic weather conditions. Money over safety really?#IndvsBan #DelhiAirEmergency #DelhiAirQuality #DelhiBachao #DelhiPollution
— Priyangshu Gogoi (@PriyangshuG) November 3, 2019
An emergency has been declared in Delhi due to the air pollution and people have been told to not go outdoors as much as possible. Also not undertake any strenuous activity. Cannot believe they are having a T20I here on Sunday, which is both outdoors and a strenuous activity ?
— Jon Blu (@jabberwockkyy) November 1, 2019
Conducting a cricket match on Delhi in such pollution is just criminal and blot on sports. @BCCI Why can’t it be shifted and also what was it planned in first place when everyone know Oct-Feb period is worst pollution wise. Who is answerable?
— Vishal विशाल விஷால்?? (@vishalkmumbai) November 3, 2019
Cannot wait for Sanjay Manjrekar to say ‘The stadium is choked with enthusiasm’ and chuckle punningly ?
— Jon Blu (@jabberwockkyy) November 1, 2019
Want Pakistan to tour India and play a game in Delhi. They will have to wear mask. And if even after that, players don’t exchange harsh abuses, I will be disappointed.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) November 3, 2019
Only to insult the nation every year BCCI conducts cricket matches in Delhi when pollution is at the peak and Kejriwal govt happily permits this and central govt has no objection as well.
— Aßhishek Shukla | InvestorJi (@abhishek25) November 3, 2019
Greatest challenge in the Delhi T20 will be
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) November 2, 2019
Good chance #SleepingShastri will go unnoticed right through the Delhi T20.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) November 2, 2019
@bcci after seeing the type of pollution in Delhi over the last few years in Oct/Nov due to stubble burning/construction, still goes ahead and arranges an international cricket match in Delhi. Is it arrogance or plain stupidity? @SGanguly99
— S V Manjunath ?? (@imsvmanjunath) November 3, 2019
Bowler ball umpire ke sar pe na maar de..
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) November 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/anbu2089/status/1190894454174957568?s=20
https://twitter.com/goal_digger__/status/1190901268291604482?s=20
आज शास्त्री जी खूब पियेंगे।
किसी को कुछ नहीं दिखेगा।— Sdm Jharwal (@SdmJharwal) November 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/pull_playlist/status/1190894210368466944?s=20