No one's dying: Domingo on Delhi pollution ahead of 1st T20I
Image : BCCI
|| Desk Report ||
Bangladesh cricket team head coach Russell Domingo (R) and bowling coach Daniel Vettori wearing face masks watch the team during a practice session at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi on November 1, 2019, ahead of the first T20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and India.
The Delhi pollution took a turn for the worse on Friday with a public health emergency being declared in the Indian capital and nearby areas by the pollution control body mandated by the Supreme Court.
Delhi has been struggling with rising air pollution levels. The pollution level in the region entered the "severe plus" or "emergency" category late Thursday night, the first time since January.
The India vs Bangladesh first T20 International is scheduled to be held in Delhi on Sunday despite calls from environmentalists to shift it due to pollution.
On Thursday, one Bangladesh player -- Liton Das -- was seen wearing a mask while training but on Friday multiple members of the Bangladesh team and support staff were seen with pollution masks as they prepared for the opening clash of the series.
The likes of Bangladesh fast bowler Al-Amin Hossain, team's spin consultant Daniel Vettori and coach Russell Domingo were all pictured wearing the pollution masks during a fielding training session on Friday.
"We know the Sri Lankans struggled last time and look there's a bit of pollution in Bangladesh as well, so it's a not a massive shock unlike some other countries. The players have just got on with the game and haven't complained too much about it," Domingo told media.
"It's only three hours so it's going to be easy. There may be scratchy eyes, sore throat but that's ok. No one is dying," Domingo added.
He said while the situation was not ideal, it would be the same for both teams.
"There's no breeze but obviously not perfect weather with the smog. But, it same for both teams. Not perfect, not ideal but you can't complaint about and get on with the game," the coach said.
On Thursday, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly confirmed that the T20I match between India and Bangladesh in Delhi will go ahead as planned.
However, the former India captain did say that the board would be "more practical" while scheduling matches in the Northern part of India in the winters.
