The fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow was called off on Wednesday night due to persistent fog and hazardous air quality, drawing sharp criticism from senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who questioned the BCCI’s decision to host an international match under such conditions.
The match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium never got underway as visibility failed to improve throughout the evening.
🌫️ 411 AQI Smog Brings Game to a Halt
The toss, scheduled for 6:30 pm IST, was first delayed to 6:50 pm, with umpires conducting multiple inspections as dense fog continued to blanket the ground. Despite repeated checks at regular intervals, conditions showed no signs of improvement, forcing officials to abandon the match around 9:30 pm.
Players were left waiting for long periods before eventually returning to the dressing rooms, adding to the frustration of fans and teams alike.
🗣️ Tharoor Questions BCCI Decision
The prolonged delay and eventual abandonment sparked reactions beyond the cricketing fraternity. Shashi Tharoor, a keen cricket follower, took to social media to criticise the poor air quality in Lucknow and the BCCI’s venue selection.
“Cricket fans have been waiting in vain for the #INDVSSAODI to start in Lucknow. But thanks to dense smog, pervasive in most north Indian cities, and an AQI of 411, visibility is too poor to permit a game of cricket. They should’ve scheduled the game in Thiruvananthapuram, where AQI is about 68 right now!” Tharoor wrote on X.
😷 Player Safety in Focus
Air quality in Lucknow remained firmly in the hazardous zone, with the AQI crossing 400, once again raising concerns over player health and safety. The seriousness of the situation was evident as India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a surgical mask while warming up.
📍 Series Moves to Ahmedabad
Following the washout, the series now shifts to Ahmedabad, where the fifth and final T20I will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on December 19.
Meanwhile, attention remains on Shubman Gill’s availability for the decider. The batter was ruled out of the Lucknow match after suffering a toe injury during net practice. According to a PTI report, Gill was struck late in the session, leaving him visibly uncomfortable and forcing the team management to take a cautious approach.
🔍 BCCI Under Scrutiny
The abandoned match has reignited debate around venue planning, air quality concerns, and the responsibility of administrators to ensure safe playing conditions—especially during winter months in north India.
