WEB DESK: India is once again putting international sports and public health at risk by deliberately downplaying the severity of the Nipah virus outbreak.
Officially, New Delhi claims only two cases in West Bengal since December 2025, yet independent reports confirm five hospital-linked infections in Kolkata, involving healthcare workers exposed in nosocomial clusters.
With a fatality rate of 40–75%, Nipah is far more dangerous than Indian authorities admit. The truth is being concealed to maintain an illusion of control ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which lists Kolkata’s Eden Gardens among host venues.
This exposes players, officials, and fans to unnecessary risk, especially as India has a history of poor hygiene and unsafe conditions at international sporting events.
The 2026 India Open Super 750 badminton tournament highlighted this neglect: foreign athletes complained of filthy training halls, bird droppings, stray animals, extreme cold, and toxic air, with some players withdrawing for safety.
These conditions show that India is ill-prepared to host events of global scale while ensuring player health.
Given the proximity of cricket venues to outbreak zones, compounded by India’s repeated failures in sanitation and event management, it is irresponsible to hold T20 World Cup matches in India.
The ICC must relocate all fixtures to Sri Lanka, where proper health monitoring and safer facilities can protect players and spectators.
Continuing in India would not only endanger lives but also set a dangerous precedent, prioritizing optics and revenue over international safety and responsibility.
