Pollution Disrupts Mumbai's Ranji Trophy Match at BKC Ground
In a concerning development for cricket in India's financial capital, the Mumbai Cricket Association's ground at Bandra-Kurla Complex faced significant disruption during Thursday's Ranji Trophy match due to severe pollution and dust from nearby construction activities. While this venue has traditionally been Mumbai's preferred home ground for domestic cricket in recent years, environmental factors have now raised serious questions about player safety and match conditions.
Players Forced to Wear Protective Masks During Play
During the final session of day one, Mumbai players including Sarfaraz Khan, his younger brother Musheer Khan, and off-spinning all-rounder Himanshu Singh were compelled to wear masks for approximately thirty minutes while fielding. The situation became so severe that even members of the support staff sitting just outside the dressing room resorted to wearing protective masks to shield themselves from the hazardous air quality.
"The construction work was going on nearby, because of which people were feeling the pollution. That's why we were wearing masks," explained Mumbai seamer Mohit Avasthi, who managed to deliver an impressive performance despite the challenging conditions, finishing the day with figures of five for sixty-two in sixteen point four overs.
Team Management Lodges Formal Complaint
The Mumbai team management has taken official action by writing to the Mumbai Cricket Association about the pollution problem caused by the under-construction building adjacent to the ground. According to sources within the team, the letter specifically highlights how the construction activity has led to excessive dust and pollution on the playing surface, creating difficult conditions for athletes.
"We've requested the MCA to take it up with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. Running on the ground can be difficult in such conditions," revealed a source from the Mumbai team. The situation affected both teams, with some Delhi players reportedly requesting masks from the Mumbai camp to cope with the deteriorating air quality.
Air Quality Reaches Unhealthy Levels
Official measurements confirmed the severity of the situation, with the Air Quality Index at BKC registering 156 on Thursday evening, which falls into the 'unhealthy' category according to environmental standards. This poor air quality not only affected player comfort but potentially impacted match performance and raised health concerns for all participants.
Match Proceeds Despite Adverse Conditions
Despite the challenging environmental factors, the Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Delhi continued, though under compromised conditions. Delhi managed to post a total of 221 runs before being bowled out, with opener Sanat Sangwan scoring his third century of the season—an impressive 118 runs off 218 deliveries that included eleven boundaries and two sixes.
Mumbai's response saw them reach thirteen for one at stumps, with play concluding five to seven minutes earlier than scheduled due to deteriorating light conditions that compounded the already challenging visibility issues caused by pollution and dust.
Broader Implications for Cricket Venues
This incident raises important questions about venue selection and environmental management for cricket matches in urban areas experiencing rapid development. As construction activities continue to expand in metropolitan centers like Mumbai, cricket associations may need to implement stricter environmental safeguards to ensure player welfare and maintain the integrity of competitive matches.
The situation at BKC serves as a wake-up call for sports administrators about the intersection of urban development, environmental health, and athletic performance, particularly in a country where cricket holds such significant cultural and sporting importance.
