IPL 2018: Teams complain about mosquito menace at Hyderabad ground

What's the story?

Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has been plagued by a rather unusual menace - a mosquito outbreak that has been hounding the players and officials at the ground in the lead-up to the Mumbai Indians-Sunrisers Hyderabad game.

“The local staff came and used some very foul-smelling pesticide spray inside the dressing room. The smell is so bad and so toxic that the players haven’t been able to even sit inside,” team members were quoted as saying according to The Times of India.

In case you didn't know...

The stadium, formerly known as the Visaka International Stadium, has been playing host to IPL games since the times of the Deccan Chargers' existence, even during the inaugural edition of the IPL. Established in 2004, the stadium is located in Uppal, a suburb.

The heart of the matter

Players of both sides have been constantly complaining about the lack of sanitation at the ground, and even the Rajasthan Royals, after playing their opening game at the venue, left with poor feedback.

One of the Mumbai Indians players said that the situation can turn into something as serious as malaria if things aren't fixed. In the Sunrisers camp, the players were seen ordering mosquito racquets, as well as ointments, to keep the menace in check.

What's next?

The Mumbai Indians, after stumbling to a one-wicket loss to the Chennai Super Kings in the season opener, will look to get their act together against the Hyderabad side at the venue on April 12.

Author's take

It is surprising to see that, despite the enormous amounts of money being spent on the league to keep it going, there are issues such as the one at Uppal, highlighting a massive ignorance on the part of the authorities to keep basic sanitation in place.

A dangerous disease like malaria could be potentially lurking around and could send an entire team packing during the busy IPL season.