International Cricketer's Concern Over Delhi's Toxic Air
Former South African cricket star Jonty Rhodes has expressed serious concern about Delhi's deteriorating air quality while passing through the national capital. The renowned fielder, known for his athletic prowess, took to social media platform X to share his distress about the city's pollution levels during his transit to Ranchi.
Rhodes posted on November 9, 2025: "Passing through Delhi en route to Ranchi this evening, and as always, it's hard to digest the low levels of air quality here. Am grateful to be living in a small fishing village in South Goa." The cricketer accompanied his message with hashtags addressing air quality index and calling for action.
Paytm CEO's Response Goes Viral
The post gained significant traction after Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma responded on Monday, November 10, 2025. Sharma acknowledged Rhodes' relocation to South Goa and commented on the global notoriety of Delhi's air pollution crisis.
In his viral response, Sharma stated: "Jonty Rhodes now lives in South Goa !! Aur ab Delhi ki Air Quality ke charche to global hain…. usska kya hi kahain." This translates to acknowledging that discussions about Delhi's air quality have become international conversation points.
Delhi's Air Quality Worsens to Severe Category
Meanwhile, the air quality situation in Delhi took a more serious turn on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, the city's air quality index deteriorated from the 'very poor' category to the 'severe' classification.
The national capital's AQI was recorded at 423 as of 9 AM on Tuesday, indicating hazardous conditions for residents. Several areas across Delhi reported critically poor air quality readings in the early morning hours.
The most severely affected regions included: Bawana (462), Wazirpur (460), Mundka (450), Punjabi Bagh (451), Rohini (451), and Jahangirpuri (448). Other locations such as Nehru Nagar, Mathura Road, Dwarka Sector-8, and Anand Vihar also recorded AQI levels above 440.
While most monitoring stations showed severe conditions, some areas including Shadipur, DTU, Dilshad Garden, Lodhi Road, and NSIT Dwarka maintained air quality in the 'very poor' range, though still significantly above safe levels.
Public Reaction and Growing Concerns
The social media exchange between Rhodes and Sharma sparked widespread discussion among users, with many expressing frustration and concern about the persistent air quality crisis in Delhi-NCR.
One user commented: "It's so pathetic. No one cares. Moments like this make me weak about India. And its growth story. The motivation fizzles." This sentiment reflected the growing public disillusionment with the ongoing pollution problem.
Another observer noted: "Delhi's air crisis persists; Jonty's Goa move reflects need for action, not just talk," highlighting how environmental concerns are influencing lifestyle choices and relocation decisions.
Many social media users expressed pessimism about potential improvements, with several commenting that Delhi's air pollution situation appears "beyond repair" despite various government initiatives and public awareness campaigns.
The viral discussion comes amid increasing international attention on India's air quality challenges, with the exchange between the prominent cricketer and leading entrepreneur underscoring the severity of the situation that affects millions of residents in the national capital region.
