Cricket “Hit for Six” by Climate Change – Time for the Sport to Take Action

As the climate crisis intensifies, cricket — a sport deeply rooted in tradition and played under open skies — is facing a growing threat that can no longer be ignored.

A new report has highlighted the increasing physical danger posed by rising temperatures and worsening air quality, calling attention to the need for urgent action at every level of the game. From elite athletes competing in front of millions to children playing weekend club cricket, the impacts of climate change are becoming impossible to ignore.

Heat: A Growing Risk to Player Health and Safety

Cricket is traditionally played during the summer months — but those same months are becoming hotter, longer, and more hazardous. The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season is a stark example of what the future may hold.

Over half of the 65 matches were played in conditions rated either Extreme Caution or Danger on the internationally recognised Heat Index, a measure that combines air temperature and humidity to assess heat-related risk. Only nine matches avoided triggering some form of heat warning.

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