Bharat captain Rohit Sharma voiced his concerns over
the country’s deteriorating air quality, particularly in Mumbai, stating that
it is crucial to make sure that coming generations live “without any fear.”
Rohit-led Bharat is playing with 1996 winners Sri
Lanka in their World Cup match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on
Thursday.
A win will see them book their spot in the knockout
stages of the tournament.
Over the past week, Mumbai’s AQI has ranged ‘Moderate’
category. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Mumbai on Sunday morning was recorded
at 139, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research
(SAFAR)-India.
“I mean, in an ideal world, you don’t want a situation
like this, but I’m pretty sure the concerned people are taking the necessary
steps to avoid this kind of situation. It’s not ideal, everyone knows that. But
obviously, looking at our future generation, your kids, my kids, obviously, it’s
quite important that they get to live without any fear. So, yeah, every time I
get to speak outside of cricket, if we are not discussing cricket, I always
talk about this, that you know we have to look after our future generation,”
the India skipper said at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
A native of Mumbai, Sharma played most of his junior
cricket in the city. Throughout his domestic first-class career, he turned out
for the Mumbai Ranji team. He currently captains the Mumbai Indians, a
city-based club in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Earlier in the day, the Board of Control for Cricket
in India (BCCI) announced that it will not be letting off fireworks during the
remaining World Cup matches in Delhi and Mumbai due to the deteriorating air
quality in those two cities.
In a statement, Jay Shah said the apex body of Indian
cricket is sensitive to environmental concerns for which they took the matter
up with the International Cricket Council (ICC). It was decided that there
wouldn’t be any fireworks at Wankhede Stadium to keep a check on the pollution.
He added that BCCI is sensitive to environmental
issues and will always place the interest of the fans and stakeholders at the
forefront.
“BCCI is sensitive to environmental concerns. I took
up the matter formally with the ICC and there won’t be any fireworks display in
Mumbai, which can add to the pollution level. The Board is committed to
combating environmental issues and will always place the interest of our fans
and stakeholders at the forefront,” Shah said.
He added the BCCI acknowledged the public concerns
surrounding air quality in both Mumbai and New Delhi.
“The BCCI acknowledges the urgent concern surrounding
air quality in both Mumbai and New Delhi. While we strive to host the ICC World
Cup in a manner befitting the celebration of cricket, we remain steadfast in
our commitment to prioritising the health and safety of all our stakeholders,”
he said.
England batter Joe Root raised over the declining air
quality in Mumbai after his team lost to South Africa at the Wankhede.
“I’ve not played in anything like that before. I’ve
obviously played in hotter conditions, and probably more humid conditions. But
it just felt like you couldn’t get your breath. It was like you were eating the
air. It was unique,” Root was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“I mean you couldn’t get away from it. You walk out
onto the field and your shirt’s soaking wet, and you have a lot heavier breath
than you would do, and you know you’ve done your fitness and stuff, it’s not
like you’re short on that. So, you are very aware of it … It was tough, but
that’s the sort of stuff that you come up against and contend with when you
come out to play in India at this time of year,” he added.
ANI
