India vs Bangladesh: Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle might call-off the first T20I in Delhi due to poor visibility

India and Bangladesh are scheduled to lock horns in the first of the three-match T20I series later in the evening in Delhi at the Arun Jaitley stadium. However, the match has come under the scanner with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital touching at an all-time low. Environmentalists had earlier raised eyebrows over the match going ahead but the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly cleared that the game will take place in Delhi itself.

Delhi witnessed rain on Sunday morning amidst a lot of pollution concerns which worsened things rather than improving. The AQI in the city went down to 1164 – an all-time low – and the series opener has come under the threat of being called off. The latest visuals from the stadium are not so encouraging and if the visibility level doesn’t increase, the match referee Ranjan Madugalle might have to take a tough call.

According to the ABP News, the match referee will take a call depending upon the visibility levels during the match time. Poor visibility level due to dense smog cover is likely to hamper the smooth conduct of the match. The DDCA officials and the groundsmen are keeping the fingers crossed hoping that the smog settles down by evening for the match to go ahead.

“Contrary to the belief that showers on Saturday would have helped settle things down, today is the worst of the lot. The eyes are hurting and visibility is at an all-time low. Hopefully, the sun does come out and the smog settles else it will be very difficult to get the match going. We are helpless in such a scenario and can only pray that the match happens,” a senior DDCA said.

Things not looking good in Delhi

The match referee will take the final call after talking to the umpires and the ground staff as well. The official also went on to say that the weather could be unpredictable at times and things could change dramatically. But at the moment, all is not looking good in Delhi.

“The call has to be taken by the match referee and he will consult the umpires. They can also check with the groundstaff to decide on the fate of the match if the condition stays the way it is. But then again, you never know with the weather and things could change in the evening. But if you go by the current scenario, things are a little grim to be honest,” the official further added.

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