The DDCA has reportedly outlined two primary reasons for seeking the relocation.
The first match of the three-ODI series between India and Sri Lanka, slated to be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on December 13, is likely to be shifted out of the national capital.
According to a Cricbuzz report, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has formally approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to request moving the series opener out of Delhi.
The DDCA has reportedly outlined two primary reasons for seeking the relocation -- severe winter pollution and outfield renovations.
The association expressed major concerns regarding the notoriously high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in New Delhi during mid-December, hoping to prevent any health issues for the players.
Additionally, the stadium is undergoing major structural upgrades and pitch relaying work that is expected to keep the venue offline until the 2027 IPL season.
As per sources, because of rising pollution levels in Delhi, the DDCA wants to be safe rather than sorry.
“More than the renovation work, we want the match to be moved because of AQI in Delhi," a source was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
The DDCA wants to avoid a repeat of the controversial December 2017 Test match against Sri Lanka in Delhi, where players vomited on the field due to toxic smog.
The BCCI had initially dismissed reports that the game would move to Ahmedabad, asserting that the fixture would remain in the capital.
“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," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had said on October 12.
However, with the host association itself officially backing out due to hazardous weather conditions, the board has little option but to reallocate the opening match and restructure the tour schedule.
The remaining two matches of the ODI series are slated to take place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on December 16 and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on December 19.