At the domestic level in India, a total of 2036 domestic games were supposed to be played in the 2019-2020 season across various age groups in the men’s and women’s category between August 2019 to March 2020. There is so much at stake and so many people involved in the process. Unpredictable weather will not only put these matches at risk but also have a negative financial impact. With monsoons becoming more erratic in India, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) needs to take a more scientific approach while scheduling matches. This was very evident when BCCI had to rework the schedule of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2019 twice, since more than half the matches that were supposed to be conducted on the first three days were suspended due to rain.

The changing climate is bound to affect the performance of the players on the field. The extreme heat due to global warming will put the health of players at risk. This can be especially dangerous in case of test matches which are played over a period of 5 days. The players, especially batsmen and wicketkeepers with their knee and elbow pads and helmets on will be impacted more than others. In such attires, there is no way for their body to cool down. Players risk being dehydrated or suffer from a heat stroke. The warm up match between Indian Team and county side Essex (before a test series against England in 2018) was cut short by a day due to extreme heat.

The Hit for Six report by the British Association for Sustainable Sport, University of Leeds and University of Portsmouth recommended formulation of heat rules, hydration breaks, change of clothing (shorts, kits with enhanced air flow) and specific guidelines for young players in the context of a changing climate. Australian Cricket (AC) has done a commendable job by introduction of a Heat Policy in 2018. A Heat Stress Risk Index (HSRI) has been conceptualised, based on which match officials can decide on an extended drinks break or suspension of play until the situation gets better. Extreme Heat Guidelines of 2014 on the other hand provides guidelines for playing cricket in extreme heat conditions. These guidelines take into consideration not just the players and match officials but also the AC staff, volunteers, contractors and spectators. ICC was criticised for not having a policy on conducting play in heat, especially after Joe Root, England Skipper was taken to hospital during the Sydney Test of 2018 (having played at temperatures of 43.7C) retiring hurt with a combination of dehydration and a gastro-intestinal bug. There is a dire need for such policy in India as well considering the vulnerability of India to extreme climate conditions.

Given these inherent features, Climate Change has not been much of a talk topic in cricket and definitely not given sufficient consideration by the sport’s governing body, the ICC or the BCCI in India. Indians almost always have matches to watch throughout the year, either domestic or international cricket. Weather events or its consequences have now shrunk the window of opportunity for matches to be conducted in India, much to the dismay of the masses. But these alarms can be considered as a wake up call to make the shift towards sustainability. BCCI’s agreement with UNEP in 2018 towards ensuring “green cricket” is a step in the right direction. In a country like India, where cricket is considered a pseudo religion; it is one among the many excellent choices to lead the fight against Climate Change. The game as well as the cricketers have the potential to influence the masses to make a move towards a low carbon future not just for themselves but for the game they love.