Rajeev Shukla Calls for Halt to Winter Cricket in North India After Fog Halts Lucknow T20I

The abandonment of the T20 international cricket match between India and South Africa in Lucknow due to heavy smog has prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider rescheduling matches in North India during the winter months. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla described the air pollution as an "emergency," indicating a possible change in policy.

The fourth T20I match was scheduled at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium. The decision to call off the game followed concerns about player safety and the hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. The match was the second instance in international cricket history to be abandoned because of fog. The series decider is now scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad.

Speaking to Times Now, Shukla said that the BCCI might need to take drastic steps regarding winter scheduling in northern India. He stated that air pollution should be treated as an emergency, not just a routine inconvenience, and that the BCCI will have to rethink winter scheduling and stop matches in North India.

The game was scheduled for 7 p.m. but was called off around 9:30 p.m. after six inspections. Players had shortened their warm-ups by 7:30 p.m., and many spectators started leaving the stadium by 9 p.m. Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in Lucknow were above 400, which is considered hazardous. Hardik Pandya, an Indian all-rounder, was seen wearing a surgical mask during warm-ups, which led to increased criticism of the BCCI's scheduling decisions.

Shukla's body language after speaking with match officials reflected disappointment. The South Africa tour included cities such as New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, and Lucknow during November and December, a period known for fog and severe pollution in North India. Just last week, the Dharamsala T20I was played in temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, and spinner Varun Chakravarthy said the conditions were challenging. With no reserve day available, both teams will now travel to Ahmedabad for the series decider on Friday. India currently leads the series 2-1.