After the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) formally wrote to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requesting a venue change, Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi may lose its hosting rights for the opening game of the India-Sri Lanka ODI series on December 13.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium could lose the right to host the first match of the India-Sri Lanka ODI series
The association filed the request, citing two issues: the dangerous air quality that plagues the capital every winter and the ongoing renovations at the ground level. The remaining two games in the three-match series are already scheduled: Bengaluru will host a match on December 16, and Ahmedabad will host a match on December 19.
According to sources who spoke, the DDCA considers the AQI issue more important than construction projects. In December 2025, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index was 351. As recently as November 2, 2026, similar dangerous readings were noted. The DDCA’s submission states that the board will have to reorganize the entire series schedule around those current dates if the BCCI approves the change.
Additionally, the association has separately requested that Delhi be compensated with a different international match later in the year, indicating that it is looking for a substitute rather than just abandoning the game.
The risk to players’ health is not a novel issue. In December 2017, toxic smog caused several Sri Lankan players to throw up on the field during an India-Sri Lanka Test. This incident highlighted the risks associated with holding international cricket in Delhi during the winter.
On October 12, 2026, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the issue separately and confirmed that the board had not yet decided to change the fixture. Saikia’s comments supported the official denial and clarified that any change would necessitate formal procedures as opposed to unofficial reports.
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It is untrue to say that the India-Sri Lanka ODI match that was originally scheduled for Delhi might be moved to Ahmedabad. The BCCI hasn’t made any such decisions. For any updates on the schedule, we kindly ask that media colleagues refer to official BCCI communications. Additionally, it must be emphasized that bilateral matches are mainly assigned by adhering to a standard policy,” Saikia stated, as cited.
The BCCI is still reviewing the DDCA’s formal relocation request as of November 3, 2026. The board has not publicly approved or rejected the move, and no new location has been announced for the December 13 match. The BCCI would have to reschedule the three-match ODI series around the confirmed dates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad in order to make a favorable decision.
The board’s discussions are further complicated by the DDCA’s concurrent request for a compensatory home fixture, and as of the time of writing, there had been no formal announcement confirming either result.
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