![DDCA responds to viral video [Source: @deepu_drops, @delhi_cricket/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1770908903542_DDCA.jpg?type=hq)
DDCA responds to viral video [Source: @deepu_drops, @delhi_cricket/x]
Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has responded to the ‘Cold Drink’ fiasco that surfaced on Thursday, February 12, i.e., hours prior to the India vs Namibia T20 World Cup 2026 match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Responding to the viral video where a stadium vendor can be seen allegedly pouring “leftover cold drinks” into large empty bottles, the DDCA has stepped in to issue a clarification on the matter.
Shortly after the video went viral, the DDCA issued an official statement on their social media platforms, doing so around the toss time of the India vs Namibia match.
Delhi Cricket justifies ‘cold drink’ controversy
Issuing an official statement on social media, the DDCA acknowledged the recent viral video where a vendor was seen allegedly pouring “leftover cold drinks” back into large empty bottles.
The board clarified that the vendor was pouring unsold or “unused beverage” back into the bottles instead, before the vendor could dispose the paper cups as part of their waste collection process. The DDCA also stated that they maintain “strict hygiene protocols” at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
An excerpt from the statement reads, “We follow strict hygiene protocols at the venue. In the instance shown in the video, the vendor, while segregating wet and dry waste, poured the unused beverage back into the bottle prior to disposal as part of the waste collection process. The bottles were subsequently collected, segregated and processed in accordance with the venue’s waste management and recycle policy.”
Arun Jaitley Stadium hygiene concerns snowball into social media storm
In any case, the viral video from earlier in the day had already spread rapidly across social media, sparking widespread concern and debate among fans. Several cricket fans even tagged and urged the BCCI and the ICC to take action against the DDCA regarding health protocols.
By the time the clarification arrived, the incident had gathered enough traction to leave a noticeable dent in public perception around matchday hygiene at the venue.
India takes on Namibia in Delhi
India took on Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi later in the evening as per schedule. Being put into bat first, Team India charted a formidable 200-plus total against Namibia bowlers. Blistering opener Ishan Kishan led India’s early charge with a 20-ball half-century, clubbing 61 runs in all from 24 balls with six boundaries and five huge sixes.
Star all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube provided the late surge after a slew of middle-overs wickets.
For Namibia, spinner Gerhard Erasmus picked up the important wickets of Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma in quick succession.
The match marked India’s second Group A outing of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The ‘Men in Blue’ started off their tournament campaign with a resounding 29-run win against the USA at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium last week.
Another win at this stage will take Team India past Pakistan on the Group A points table.
