Beyond firecrackers – How cricket adds to India’s pollution problem:Why the sport is a major contributor to emissions a ‘climate casualty in the making’

Every year, the morning after Diwali brings the same headlines- choking skies, hazardous AQI levels and renewed calls for accountability. While carbon footprint, pollution and global warming become seasonal talking points, there are things closer to India’s heart that also demand introspection. One of them is sport, particularly cricket. India’s passion for cricket unites millions, but it also carries a heavy environmental tag. From floodlit stadiums and cross-country air travel to massive spectator movements and water-intensive pitch maintenance, every element of the modern cricket spectacle adds to the pollution puzzle. ‘A single IPL match emits 10,000 tonnes of CO₂’ “Studies suggest that a single Indian Premier League (IPL) match emits around 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent,” says Shubham Thakur, Climate Educator and Policy Analyst. “That’s huge- it means pollution, disease, heatwaves and harm to the game and fans equally.” According to Thakur, the pollution is not limited to stadiums alone. “Cricketers travel across the length and breadth of the country in special flights, fans and organisers move in lakhs using cars and buses, and hotels run at full capacity. All of this adds to vehicular pollution, waste, and water usage.” Maintaining a single turf, he adds, “requires huge quantities of water, up to 3 lakh litres per week, in cities already facing water scarcity.” In 2016, the Supreme Court of India shifted IPL matches out of drought-hit Maharashtra due to public outcry, while in 2024, the National Green Tribunal sought water usage data from Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. Toxic air, vulnerable players The 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup saw air quality emerge as a key concern. Matches in Delhi and Mumbai were played under smog-laden skies, forcing training cancellations and scrapping fireworks. Bangladesh’s practice session in Delhi was called off entirely. As India’s then captain Rohit Sharma admitted at the time, “It is not ideal, and everyone knows that.” Thakur warns that worsening air quality could directly impact player health and performance. “Even cricketers won’t be able to give their best if there’s a match in Delhi after Diwali. The air becomes so toxic, you’ll literally fall down,” he says. While the IOC, FIFA, and Formula One have formal sustainability frameworks aligned with the Paris Agreement, cricket remains behind. “The BCCI must act now,” Thakur says. “Rising temperatures and pollution could threaten not just player safety but the sport’s future itself. Extreme heat and poor air quality directly affect players’ fitness, recovery, and mental focus.” He believes cricket’s governing bodies must “develop and publish a sustainability framework and make every match greener.” Initiatives such as solar-powered stadiums, eco-friendly kits, and green-certified venues can make a tangible difference. Building climate-resilient stadiums Thakur argues for “climate-resilient” infrastructure across Indian stadiums. “Authorities should invest in renewable energy, cool roofing, reflective paints, and better ventilation to lower internal temperatures. Big venues must use harvested rainwater and non-drinkable water for pitch maintenance.” He also suggests incentivising spectators. “Fans who use public transport or green travel could be rewarded through ticket discounts or benefits. Even simple steps like going paperless and banning plastic bottles can cut emissions significantly.” Small steps, long road ahead Some progress has begun, solar panels at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, tree-planting drives by Rajasthan Royals, and recycled plastic jerseys by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but experts say these are “small steps in a marathon race against time.” With post-festival pollution levels rising and major sporting events expanding across the country, experts suggest that conversations around sustainability in Indian cricket may soon need to move from symbolic efforts to systemic change.