Pollution far serious issue than hosting cricket match, says Gautam Gambhir

India will play a three-match T20I series versus Bangladesh with the first T20I being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on November 3. Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir believes that the Delhi locals must be more concerned about improving the atmosphere by reducing pollution rather than being excited about hosting a cricket match.

"It is a far serious issue than having a game of cricket or any other sports matches in Delhi. For us I think people living in Delhi should be more concerned about the pollution levels rather than the cricket match that happens," Gambhir told ANI.

"Not only athletes it's also for the common man of Delhi as well. A match is a very small thing, I think we can say ok whether we want to shift the match or not."

Gambhir tried to create awareness about the rising pollution level in Delhi. The cricketer-turned-politician believes that there has been a slight reduction in the pollution level and Delhi locals deserve the credit. But he believes that there is more work that needs to be done and says that in the end, it is the kids in Delhi that are suffering.

"That is a very small thing, ultimately its the entire Delhi which is suffering, from kids to old age people as well, so it's our responsibility. I got to know that pollution is still better and a lot of credit goes to the people of Delhi but hard work still needed," he said.

Gambhir added that it is not important to think about the match at the moment when pollution is a much bigger and grave an issue. He feels that the necessary steps need to be taken by everyone and the awareness must spread everywhere so that the pollution level can decrease considerably.

"So, I am not really bothered whether the match will happen or not. I hope it happens and it should happen, but again it's the thing which is throughout the year that Delhi people face. It is a bigger concern than match," said Gambhir.

Gambhir gave his views on how pollution can be controlled on a grassroots level and he also commented on the work Delhi government and the Central government has carried out in reducing the level of pollution.

"Absolutely, serious steps should be taken. For me, the most important steps are not advertising on Twitter and not taking credit but what we do on the ground level as well. I don't remember what the Delhi government has done in the last four and a half years," he said.

"I feel the central government is very serious in getting the pollution level down and plus stubble burning needs to be curbed as well. So, I think the central government is doing the best what they can to curb the pollution levels, but I think and feel Delhi government still needs to pull up their socks," he concluded.

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