Cricket World Cup 2023: Concerns over Delhi air quality leading into Australia vs. Netherlands

The air quality index in parts of Delhi had soared above 300, ranking second for worst air quality in the world behind Lahore – impacting Australia’s upcoming Cricket World Cup match.

Delhi’s notoriously poor air quality has deteriorated, coinciding with the build-up to Australia’s World Cup clash with the Netherlands.

India’s Commission for Air Quality Management announced over the weekend that the nation’s capital would be forced into Stage 2 restrictions as conditions moved into the “very poor” category.

By Sunday night the air quality index in parts of Delhi had soared above 300, ranking second for worst air quality in the world behind Lahore.

An increase in parking fees around the city, designed to limit private transport is among the host of measures being taken by authorities to combat the issue.

Air pollution is a major issue in Delhi, one that has reared its head in international cricket in recent years. In 2017, Sri Lankan players wore masks in the face of oppressive smog while playing a Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla, venue for Australia’s date with the Dutch on Wednesday.

Play was paused between India and New Zealand due to poor visibility. Picture: Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images

Australian players also had to deal with uncomfortable air quality in Delhi during the second Test earlier this year.

Though far from optimal, high-performance expert David Joyce said Australia’s cricketers should be able to cope with such conditions for a day.

“Apart from general discomfort the physiological impact will be short term and incidental for most, I’d reckon,” said Joyce, former head of athletic performance at the AFL’s Greater Western Sydney Giants,

“Unless susceptible to the local allergens, pollutants etc., in which case it can irritate the endothelial lining of the respiratory system (or) exacerbate asthma.

“I suspect that heat and humidity probably a much bigger challenge, along with being exposed to new pathogens in food (and the) general environment that players and staff have not built up immunity (and or) resilience.”

Delhi has a forecast high of 31 on Wednesday.

Australia will play the Netherlands on Wednesday. Picture: Sajjad Hussain/AFP

In late 2019, the Indian Supreme Court likened Delhi to “Narak” (hell) owing to the poor air quality.

“What is the value of life you assess? People are suffering from bronchial asthma, do you know how many cancer patients are in Delhi,” the court said at the time, condemning authorities for their handling of the issue.

“Can you monetise the reduction in life span?

“You are politicising the issue of pollution … why governments are not sitting together, instead of blaming each other … everything cannot be done under the noose of this court.”

Wednesday will mark the fourth of five matches being played in Delhi during the World Cup. The Arun Jaitley Stadium also hosted South Africa’s win over Sri Lanka, Afghanistan’s upset victory against England, India’s win over Afghanistan, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will meet at the venue later in the tournament.