Why Was India vs South Africa 4th T20I In Lucknow Abandoned Without A Ball Being Bowled? Explained

The fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow was abandoned without a single ball bowled. The match was scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 6:30 PM IST. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. persistent fog prevented any play. The BCCI initially announced a delay due to the conditions, stating, "Toss in Lucknow has been delayed due to excessive fog." Ultimately, the match was called off at 9:25 PM. The BCCI updated fans, saying, "The fourth India-South Africa T20I is called off due to excessive fog." India currently leads the five-match series 2-1.

The abandonment has sparked questions regarding the BCCI's decision to schedule matches in northern India during the peak winter months. The schedule included venues like New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, Ranchi, Raipur, Visakhapatnam, Cuttack, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, and Kolkata during November and December.

Adding to the issue is the fact that this period often coincides with peak pollution levels in cities like Lucknow, New Chandigarh, and Dharamsala.

While the official reason for the abandonment was "excessive fog," a thick layer of smog blanketed the Ekana Stadium, significantly reducing visibility.

On Wednesday, Lucknow's Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the hazardous range, exceeding 400. This raised concerns about the BCCI's commitment to the well-being of the players. Hardik Pandya, the star all-rounder, was seen wearing a surgical mask as protection from the pollution during the Indian team's warm-up.

Although the match was officially called off at 9:30 PM after a sixth inspection, it was apparent much earlier that visibility would only worsen as the night progressed. The players had already stopped their warm-up session by 7:30 PM and returned to the dressing room. By 9 PM, many spectators who had braved the cold weather had also started to leave.

This isn't the first instance of fog affecting a cricket match. During the India vs. New Zealand ODI World Cup 2023 match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, play was halted twice due to dense fog during the Indian innings. Umpires stopped the game because the thick haze made it difficult for batters to see the fast bowlers' deliveries, posing a safety concern. Play resumed once the fog cleared. Fog frequently disrupts Ranji Trophy matches in North India as well.