The upcoming international cricket fixture between India and Sri Lanka scheduled for December 13 in New Delhi faces relocation due to extensive outfield renovations at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and concerns regarding local air quality levels.
Cricket fans in the national capital waiting for an international appearance by Virat Kohli on his home turf face disappointment as the stadium undergoes a major overhaul. The first fixture of the three-match one-day international series was slated to bring the teams to New Delhi, but construction work on the playing surface has made the venue unavailable.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Outfield Relaying and Drainage Upgrades
The Delhi and District Cricket Association began tearing up the existing playing surface to install a modern sand-based outfield, a modification intended to bring the venue in line with contemporary standards. Venues such as Mullanpur and Lucknow already utilize similar subsurface engineering to manage heavy downpours.
🚨 BIG UPDATE ON INDIA Vs SRI LANKA ODI MATCH 🚨- The DDCA has requested BCCI to move the 1st ODI Match between India and Sri Lanka out of Delhi. (Cricbuzz). pic.twitter.com/pKjmL9AXDW
It will take around four months for the work to be completed. Mullanpur, Lucknow and nearly 75% of the venues in the country have sand-based outfields. It makes a massive difference to the drainage system, and will help get the ground ready after rain without much delay.
Cricket source, via The Hindu
Project insiders estimate the turf replacement will require approximately four months of intensive labor, effectively taking the stadium out of contention for cricket until the Indian Premier League commences in 2027. Project timelines face further deceleration due to municipal restrictions implemented on November 1 to curb winter pollution.
When the work gets completed, there will be no need to cover the entire ground in case of rain. Puddles won’t form on the outfield.
Cricket source, via The Hindu
Air Quality Concerns and Previous Incidents in the Capital
Beyond construction delays, the administration faces pressure over the city’s winter smog and hazardous Air Quality Index readings. Last December recorded an average AQI of 351.
More than the renovation work, we want the match to be moved because of AQI in Delhi.
Cricket source, via Cricbuzz
Organizers remain aware of past controversies, including a 2017 Test match against Sri Lanka where some Sri Lankan players were seen throwing up on the ground. Consequently, the association requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India to shift the fixture.
Domestic Disruption and Board Position Adjustments
The construction work has already displaced domestic matches, forcing the association to relocate home fixtures in the Ranji Trophy competition to the Airforce Complex Ground in Palam. Meanwhile, board officials previously attempted to calm rumors of a relocation before the association formally petitioned for a change.
Secretary Devajit Saikia asserted earlier in October that reports suggesting the match might be moved to Ahmedabad were not accurate and that there had been no such decision by the BCCI. With the local association now officially asking for relocation, tournament organizers must restructure the itinerary for the remaining matches in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.