IND vs NZ Series: Pollution threat looms large on 1st T20, team India stays indoors but KL Rahul says ‘not worried’: Follow LIVE Updates

IND vs NZ Series – India NewZealand 1st T20: The threat of pollution & bad air quality is looking large on 1st T20 between India vs New Zealand in Jaipur on Wednesday. In a gas-chamber like situation, Indian team spent time in gym instead of venturing outdoors.  Meanwhile after losing the T20 World Cup finals to Australia, Kiwis have also landed in India – Follow IND vs NZ 1st T20 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.in

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IND vs NZ Series: Tired Kiwis to arrive in Jaipur following T20 World Cup heartbreak, concerned about pollution threat: Follow LIVE Updates

IND vs NZ 1st T20 – New Zealand arrives in India: Since it is a bubble to bubble transfer, the Black Caps will not have to quarantine before the first T20I against hosts India on Wednesday.

“They arrived in the evening and will be tested as per protocol before they have their practice session tomorrow,” confirmed a Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) official.

New Zealand have retained most of their T20 World Cup squad for the tour of India, while the Men in Blue, who were knocked out in the group stage of the T20 World Cup, have opted for some fresh faces heading into a new era, with Rohit Sharma as captain and Rahul Dravid as the head coach.

India vs New Zealand, T20I Schedule

 

Pollution Threat on IND vs NZ 1st T20: However, concerns surround the first T20I in Jaipur, with pollution levels rising over the past week or so in the city. Jaipur reported ‘very poor’ air quality on Sunday while visibility has also been affected by smog during winters. Jaipur’s Air Quality Index (AQI) also plunged to 337, the second most after having touched 364 a day after Diwali.

• Cities around Jaipur i.e Delhi, Gurgaoh, Sonepat & others already have started taking measures by shutting down schools, colleges & government offices.
• Delhi Pollution: Schools Shut for Week from Today, Construction Works Barred
• Lockdown Proposal by Delhi Govt in SUPREME Court on Monday
• Gurugram, Faridabad Schools Shut Till Wednesday Due To Air Pollution
• Work from Home in Government offices announced till Wednesday

IND vs NZ 1st T20: If the match in Jaipur is played on Wednesday, the scenes can be similar to what it was in 2017 – when a test match vs Sri Lanka was disrupted due to pollution.

IND vs SL Test Match in Delhi was disrupted due to pollution threat, Sri Lanka players had to play the match with mask

For reference, Sri Lankan players had to wear masks and gasped for breath during a 2017 Test match in Delhi due to the rising pollution levels. During that game, Delhi’s AQI was registered as “hazardous”, with PM 2.5 level measured at 316 by aqicn.org.

As per health experts, Jaipur’s current level was causing breathing discomfort and respiratory illness among most people on prolonged exposure. It remains to be seen whether the current pollution levels will have an impact on the India vs New Zealand series, with state governments asked to be ready to roll out “emergency” steps under the Graded Response Action Plan.

Also Read: IND vs NZ Series: Semi-final hero Daryl Mitchell added to Test squad with Devon Conway ruled out with injury

IND vs NZ 1st T20: “The main reason for smog is that with the arrival of winter, the velocity of air decreases. And when the velocity of air decreases, pollutants do not disperse in the air easily. When the velocity of air remains normal or high, pollutants disperse easily and does not create any sort of smog,” said an expert at Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board speaking to the Times of India.