Delhi struggles to breathe as smog forces international cricket elsewhere

New Delhi, on November 6, saw an international cricket match slated for December canceled due to "potential weather disruption" and dangerously high levels of air pollution. Toxic smog in the city climbed to more than 25 times the World Health Organization's daily limit, according to monitor data. In response, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opted for the one-day international (ODI) match between India and Sri Lanka to be played in Visakhapatnam, a city on the southeastern coast.

The decision was attributed to "potential weather disruption" and planned stadium renovation at the Delhi venue. During cold winter months, pollution can be 50 times higher than the WHO's 24-hour guideline. In 2023, pollution in Delhi was associated with approximately 17,188 deaths, accounting for nearly 15% of all fatalities. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air expects pollution to worsen during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, when additional air pollution from fireworks is added to the already toxic environment.