The viral clip raised questions over hygiene and quality standards at the venue.
The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) on Thursday (February 12) issued a clarification after a video alleging vendors reusing already-poured soft drinks for resale at the Arun Jaitley Stadium went viral on social media.
The clip, recorded by a fan and widely shared on X, left the spectators upset and raised questions over hygiene and quality standards at the venue.
In an official statement, the DDCA said the activity shown in the footage was being misinterpreted. The governing body clarified that the pouring seen in the clip was performed by an authorised concessionaire operating at the stadium and was in line with event guidelines and established operational procedures.
The state association explained that the vendor was not refilling bottles for re-sale but was instead disposing of unused beverages as part of the waste segregation process.
“The DDCA has come across a video circulating on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), alleging that a vendor was seen pouring cold drinks back into bottles during a recent match. In this regard, it is clarified that pouring is undertaken by the authorised concessionaire for the stadium, in line with the event guidelines. The concessionaire was serving Coca-Cola products in accordance with the agreed commercial arrangements and operational standards,” DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma said in an official statement.
“DDCA follows strict hygiene protocols at all venues. In the instance shown in the video, the vendor, while segregating wet and dry waste, poured the unused beverage back into the bottle prior to disposal as part of the waste collection process. The bottles were subsequently collected, segregated and processed in accordance with the venue’s waste management and recycling policy. It is reiterated that the bottles were disposed of responsibly in line with established environmental and operational guidelines,” the statement added.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi has been allotted four T20 World Cup 2026 matches, including three Group stage fixtures and one Super 8s clash.