India-Sri Lanka ODI likely to be moved out of Delhi as DDCA writes to BCCI over AQI concerns

Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi could lose its December 13 hosting rights for the first match of the India-Sri Lanka ODI series after the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) formally wrote to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking a venue change.

The association submitted the request citing two concerns which are the ongoing renovation activity at the ground and the hazardous air quality that grips the capital each winter. The three-match series has its other two fixtures already locked in: Bengaluru hosts a game on December 16 and Ahmedabad follows on December 19.

Sources reported to Cricbuzz that the AQI issue carries more weight in the DDCA’s thinking than the construction work. Delhi recorded an average Air Quality Index of 351 in December 2025, and comparable hazardous readings were observed as recently as November 2, 2026. According to the DDCA’s submission, if the BCCI sanctions the move, the board will need to restructure the full series schedule around those existing dates. The association has also separately asked that Delhi be compensated with an alternative international fixture later in the year, signalling that it is not simply walking away from the match but seeking a replacement.

The health risk for players is not a new concern. During an India-Sri Lanka Test in December 2017, several Sri Lanka players were seen vomiting on the field because of toxic smog, an episode that brought the dangers of staging international cricket in Delhi during winter months into sharp focus.

What did the BCCI say about reports of a venue shift?

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia separately addressed the matter on October 12, 2026, confirming that no decision to move the fixture had been taken by the board at that point. Saikia’s remarks aligned with the official denial and made clear that any shift would require a formal process rather than informal reports.

“Reports suggesting that the India-Sri Lanka ODI match scheduled in Delhi may be shifted to Ahmedabad are not accurate. There has been no such decision by the BCCI. We request media colleagues to kindly refer to official BCCI communications for any updates regarding the schedule. Further, it needs to be reiterated that bilateral matches are primarily allotted by following a standard policy,” Saikia said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

What is the current status of the BCCI’s decision?

As of November 3, 2026, the DDCA’s formal relocation request remains with the BCCI for consideration. No replacement venue for the December 13 fixture has been announced, and the board has neither publicly approved nor rejected the move. Any positive decision would require the BCCI to rework the three-match ODI series schedule around the confirmed Bengaluru and Ahmedabad dates.

The DDCA’s parallel request for a compensatory home fixture adds another layer to the board’s deliberations, and no official communication confirming either outcome had been issued at the time of writing.