India’s worsening air quality has started spilling onto the cricket field, with players reportedly forced to wear masks during domestic matches as concerns grow just days before the T20 World Cup 2026.
Indian media has highlighted the pollution issue ahead of the mega tournament, reporting that players continued to compete while wearing masks in a Ranji Trophy fixture between Mumbai and Delhi.
The match, held at Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, reportedly saw several players take precautions as smoggy conditions and poor air quality became hard to ignore.
The air pollution levels around the ground were further aggravated due to nearby construction activity, making conditions uncomfortable for players during play. Indian batters Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, and Himanshu Singh were among those said to have worn masks during the game.
Mumbai’s air quality was also described as unsatisfactory, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 160 reported in local coverage.
The situation has raised concerns because Mumbai is scheduled to host multiple World Cup matches, including a semi-final, along with group-stage fixtures.
Air pollution is not the only health-related worry hovering over the tournament build-up.
India is also dealing with an ongoing Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, which has triggered an emergency response and fresh containment measures.
According to reports, authorities quarantined over 100 people after five cases were confirmed. The infected reportedly include healthcare workers, with two nurses and a doctor among those who tested positive, while reports also claimed that two nurses in Kolkata were in critical condition.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 set to begin on February 7, teams, officials, and fans are expected to travel across India in large numbers. Between rising pollution concerns in major cities and the active Nipah response in the east, the lead-up to the tournament is now facing growing scrutiny over health and safety conditions.