Players gasping for air: Ranji Trophy match continues amid ‘unhealthy’ pollution in Mumbai

The deteriorating air pollution conditions in Indian metropolitan areas struck the ongoing Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Delhi at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) Ground on Thursday, as several cricketers, including Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan was seen wearing masks during the premier domestic competition.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) during Day 1 of the Mumbai vs Delhi Ranji match on 29 January was around 160, which falls in the “unhealthy’ category. The strictest recommendation for such air conditions is to stay indoors, but India’s best domestic cricketers were forced to play a professional match.

Players gasp for air in polluted Mumbai

If outside, the recommendation is to use the N95 mask for the best protection and stop the PM2.5 dangerous particles from entering your lungs. But Sarfaraz, his brother Musheer Khan and other cricketers were seen wearing surgical masks, which doesn’t really make a lot of difference.

The matter at the MC-BKC Ground was made worse by the nearby construction, which made the air quality unbearable. But as always, there was no option for the players.

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“…new (building) construction work is being carried out here, and because of that, the players were feeling the pollution and having issues in breathing, so they put those on,” Mumbai pacer Mohit Avasthi said on Day 1.

The Times of India reported that the Mumbai team has complained to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to take up the matter of construction with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

Thanks to non-strop construction work in the commercial hub where the match is being held, the venue has become quite dusty. No wonder then that multiple Mumbai players, including the likes of Himanshu Singh, Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan, are wearing a mask while fielding… pic.twitter.com/CT1iH06JCA

— Amol Karhadkar (@karhacter) January 29, 2026

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“Mumbai’s team management has written to the Mumbai Cricket Association about the problem of pollution due to the under-construction building here, which has led to a lot of dust and pollution on the ground. We’ve requested the MCA to take it up with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Players and members of the support staff sitting just outside the dressing room were also forced to wear masks. In fact, a few players of the Delhi team also requested us to give a few masks to them. Running on the ground can be difficult in such conditions,” a Mumbai team source said.

We don’t expect any quick action from the BCCI, MCA, or the pollution control board, as living in poor air pollution has become regular in India. Earlier in December, an international match between India and New Zealand was cancelled due to poor air quality. But it seems the BCCI has not learnt any lesson.

At the time of filing this report, the AQI at BKC was 180 (unhealthy) according to aqi. in.