- Footage of vendor at World Cup venue has gone viral
A viral video filmed at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium has sparked hygiene concerns during the ICC T20 World Cup.
Filmed after the February 10 Netherlands–Namibia match, the footage shows a Thums Up vendor pouring soft drinks from plastic cups back into a larger bottle, raising questions about whether they had already been served.
India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the current edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, with Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium among the key venues staging matches.
Like other international stadiums, it is expected to follow strict hygiene protocols while serving thousands of spectators during the tournament.
Thums Up is a popular Indian cola brand owned by The Coca-Cola Company and serves as an official beverage partner of the ICC T20 World Cup.
Several commentators expressed concern that reused drinks could pose health risks if they had already been handled.
The video footage showed a Thums Up vendor pouring drinks back into a bottle at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium at the ICC T20 World Cup
Thousands of locals and tourists are cramming into stadiums across India and Sri Lanka for the ICC T20 World Cup
Australia recorded a dominant win against Ireland in their opening match and they will next play Zimbabwe
‘This is exactly how you kill tourism for future events. Unacceptable,’ one viewer commented.
‘This is beyond disgusting. Anyone visiting should expect hygiene at least on a basic level, and serving leftover drinks is beyond unacceptable,’ added another.
‘Omg, I don’t even know what to say. This is disgusting,’ posted yet another.
One viewer suggested that the drinks may not be ones that were served to cricket fans, rather pre-poured beverages that were not sold.
‘This doesn’t appears like drinks given to people, because [why] would [they] bring back the drinks? Common sense they pour the unused drinks back in the bottle,’ they posted.
‘Used cups don’t return with the vendor, they go in the trash. They’re reusing unsold drinks poured into cups, which is still kinda gross, but nothing like what you’re implying,’ added another.
But plenty of viewers said that was not acceptable either, and warned travellers to only buy sealed beverages at World Cup venues in India.
‘Tt’s the first rule when traveling there. Check that the seal isn’t broken on the water bottle before you accept it. This is not shocking,’ one viewer recommended.
‘Food safety and hygiene standards at major sporting events need strict enforcement. Visitors deserve basic health protection,’ posted another.
Coca-Cola and the ICC have been contacted for comment.
Australia’s next match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is against Zimbabwe in Colombo, Sri Lanka, following their opening win over Ireland.
Captain Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the start of the tournament after suffering a groin injury in training that led to internal testicular bleeding, placing his availability in doubt.
In response, Steve Smith has been flown into Sri Lanka as cover and is preparing to join the squad if Marsh is unable to return.
