Fourth T20I between India and South Africa called off due to excessive fog

[BouncerGuy]

The five‑match T20I series heads into its penultimate clash at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. India lead 2‑1 after a commanding seven‑wicket win in Dharamsala and aims to seal the series. South Africa faces a must‑win situation to keep the contest alive and force a decider. The slow, testing surface in Lucknow will demand quick adaptation from both batting and bowling units.

India holds a strong head‑to‑head advantage with 20 wins compared to South Africa’s 12 in T20Is. The hosts will look to extend that dominance and secure an unassailable margin in the series. South Africa has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency across the three matches.​

Squads:

South Africa Squad: Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram(c), Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman, David Miller, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Tony de Zorzi, Lutho Sipamla, Kwena Maphaka

India Squad: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah

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[Ball Blazer]

Shubman Gill to be rested in today’s T20 game owing to a toe injury/niggle

 

[Ball Blazer]

The toss was delayed due to foggy conditions around the ground, with visibility concerns prompting officials to call for an inspection later in the evening, a decision former India batter Robin Uthappa described as counterintuitive as conditions were expected to worsen.

Reports from areas surrounding the stadium confirmed the presence of fog and smog, raising doubts over a timely start, while both teams waited amid cold weather with temperatures around 16°C.

 

[Devadwal]

Fans in the upper stands could have their money's worth tonight, if they can spot the ball and the men on the field that is. Ekana is hosting a night T20 for the first time in December.

Pathetic government.

 

[sweep_shot]

The toss was delayed due to foggy conditions around the ground, with visibility concerns prompting officials to call for an inspection later in the evening, a decision former India batter Robin Uthappa described as counterintuitive as conditions were expected to worsen.

Reports from areas surrounding the stadium confirmed the presence of fog and smog, raising doubts over a timely start, while both teams waited amid cold weather with temperatures around 16°C.

Playing in some parts of India is now a health hazard. Severe air pollution.

 

[SportsWarrior]

hazardous conditions. not sure why they want to play in northern region in winter.. poor planning by BCCI. all that money and not a single rupee spent wisely

 

[Devadwal]

The situation will not improve, but will only worsen with time...

 

[Devadwal]

I'm 100% sure this game will called off

 

[oatmeal]

They should not schedule games near Delhi and UP in this time of the year. Pollution is extremely high. The series should be played down south

 

[Champ_Pal]

Stupid of BCCI to have the match in North India at this time if the year and that too day and night.
Fog along with pollution will make visibility very bad.

 

[Champ_Pal]

hazardous conditions. not sure why they want to play in northern region in winter.. poor planning by BCCI. all that money and not a single rupee spent wisely

BCCI has no brains. It was expected

 

[Devadwal]

They should not schedule games near Delhi and UP in this time of the year. Pollution is extremely high. The series should be played down south

India is such a huge country that you can have all weather conditions good to play cricket round the year...Summers you can go up north and in winters you can go south and stil we pick wrong venues...it is basic common sense that you cant play day-night matches in winters in northern and eastern parts of India

 

[m.shah]

Bad scheduling of matches in North India, considering AQI is near 1000

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Match has been called off

 

[nish_mate]

Match has been called off

BCCI clownery continues...
Hopefully Yogi doesn't bulldoze Rajeev Shukla"s Bangla tomorrow

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Gill must be feeling happy.

 

[RexRex]

Has a cricket match ever been called off due to fog or haze ? I don't think so.

 

[Kianig89]

50+ International venues and they planned this, the bcci governing council has to answer alot

 

[CricVet]

50+ International venues and they planned this, the bcci governing council has to answer alot

I thought PCB is full of retards.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Very bad planning from BCCI

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Poor AQI cities is a major problem in subcontinent all across the board. It is unfair on visitors to play cricket in these places.

 

[nish_mate]

Poor AQI cities is a major problem in subcontinent all across the board. It is unfair on visitors to play cricket in these places.

Could have played South of Deccan...but kya kaarein kambhakt siyasat...

Papa Shah Junior Shah ki klass le lenge....

 

[nish_mate]

Playing in North India during winters should only be reserved for special treatment unwanted visiting teams like Bangladesh.

Rest should get better treatment

 

[charlie007]

Brainless scheduling by BCCI. This was a disaster just waiting to happen. They should have known this happening was highly likely but didn’t do any due diligence.

And stop playing ANY matches in Delhi until the governments (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab) get their act together. It’s not just foreigners that breathe poor air, it’s everyone. And in sport where you run a lot, pollutants quickly get into your bloodstream very quickly. Just stop!

 

[Devadwal]

50+ International venues and they planned this, the bcci governing council has to answer alot

BJP ruled states gets most of the international match barring evergreen Congress leader Rajeev Shukla ( don't know how but he has best connection with everyone's).

 

[Devadwal]

Brainless scheduling by BCCI. This was a disaster just waiting to happen. They should have known this happening was highly likely but didn’t do any due diligence.

And stop playing ANY matches in Delhi until the governments (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab) get their act together. It’s not just foreigners that breathe poor air, it’s everyone. And in sport where you run a lot, pollutants quickly get into your bloodstream very quickly. Just stop!

Forget about playing , living in Delhi like living in a gas chamber

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Feel bad for the fans who pay their hard-earned money and look forward to such matches. I'm not sure when Lucknow last got an international match, but it must have been atleast a year. BCCI should use their brains while scheduling... even the last match was played in very cold weather, and that too at night.

 

[Ab Fan]

Feel bad for the fans who pay their hard-earned money and look forward to such matches. I'm not sure when Lucknow last got an international match, but it must have been atleast a year. BCCI should use their brains while scheduling... even the last match was played in very cold weather, and that too at night.

Last two matches both were played in cold weather- Dharmshala and Chandigarh. Absolutely brainless planning!

 

[Devadwal]

BJP ruled states gets most of the international match barring evergreen Congress leader Rajeev Shukla ( don't know how but he has best connection with everyone's).

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001315869880967671

 

[Concerned]

Was the match cancelled due to fog or pollution?

 

[CricVet]

Was the match cancelled due to fog or pollution?

Pollution mostly: Fog makes it worse

 

[Human786]

AQI OF 411 & SMOG - Pandya & few stepped out with masks . BCCI led by BJPIGS FORGET WE HAVE STADIUMS IN ALL ZONES OF COUNTRY . Stadiums which have hosted international cricket yet they scheduled it n here !

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I made thread last year about cricket in low AQI cities and many ( not all) Indians used it to have a go at Pakistan instead, pretending it was non issue and instead saying ICC should cancel ICC champions trophy in Pakistan.

Here is end result - players walking about in mask and game getting called off due to pollution.

First time in history of sport. How embarrassing.

And no we aren't much better in Pakistan before anyone thinks it's nationalistic point scoring. South Africa series matches in Faisalabad recently were also pretty bad.

Rather than get upset and point fingers at each other we should try to lobby and pressure our respective boards and governments. It's a disgrace.

 

[sweep_shot]

I made thread last year about cricket in low AQI cities and many ( not all) Indians used it to have a go at Pakistan instead, pretending it was non issue and instead saying ICC should cancel ICC champions trophy in Pakistan.

Here is end result - players walking about in mask and game getting called off due to pollution.

First time in history of sport. How embarrassing.

And no we aren't much better in Pakistan before anyone thinks it's nationalistic point scoring. South Africa series matches in Faisalabad recently were also pretty bad.

Rather than get upset and point fingers at each other we should try to lobby and pressure our respective boards and governments. It's a disgrace.

Indians bury their heads in the sand always. They attack you if you point out India's shortcomings.

This is why I don't feel bad when these things happen in India.

They deserve these for being obnoxious and oblivious.

 

[jnaveen1980]

South India is better place to host cricket during winter.

 

[Obaidd]

I made thread last year about cricket in low AQI cities and many ( not all) Indians used it to have a go at Pakistan instead, pretending it was non issue and instead saying ICC should cancel ICC champions trophy in Pakistan.

Here is end result - players walking about in mask and game getting called off due to pollution.

First time in history of sport. How embarrassing.

And no we aren't much better in Pakistan before anyone thinks it's nationalistic point scoring. South Africa series matches in Faisalabad recently were also pretty bad.

Rather than get upset and point fingers at each other we should try to lobby and pressure our respective boards and governments. It's a disgrace.

If Pak and Ind ever get serious about environmental issues they will realise the solutions require cooperation. In a purely physical geographical sense a lot of the border is arbitrary. The ecosystem is the same at a higher level. These countries should try to come up with a regional approach to fighting environmental degradation. This is an alarming situation for the people of the region.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

South or western india are better in all aspects , be it for playing cricket or economy or harmony.

Bcci blindly follows rotation, regardless of season and weather conditions, they should stop that, playing day night games in winter in north of india is plain dumb.

 

[m.shah]

Forget about playing , living in Delhi like living in a gas chamber

Even Kashmir is having high AQI levels which is shocking

 

[sweep_shot]

Even Kashmir is having high AQI levels which is shocking

Maybe pollutions from other states are heading toward Kashmir?

That's the only explanation I can think of.

 

[m.shah]

Maybe pollutions from other states are heading toward Kashmir?

That's the only explanation I can think of.

That is one reason but I'm sure there is good snowfall it will get pure.

 

[JibranAnsari]

In the next few years it will become impossible to hold any cricket in this season in that region. Lahore and most of the punjab is full of pollution and sadly govts of both countries dont have any solution except for gimmicks like water sprays.

 

[BouncerGuy]

There were many people who were doing bhangra when there was fog during Pakistan series at home but none of the game was called off....

Where are they now??? Come on out

 

[sweep_shot]

If Pak and Ind ever get serious about environmental issues they will realise the solutions require cooperation. In a purely physical geographical sense a lot of the border is arbitrary. The ecosystem is the same at a higher level. These countries should try to come up with a regional approach to fighting environmental degradation. This is an alarming situation for the people of the region.

Great post. Agree.

It is India that play all sorts of dirty games with all the neighbors. So, cooperation with India is always volatile.

India need to understand they can't control nature/weather same way they control ICC. They need to stop being haughty/greedy and start being altruistic (i.e., look at the bigger picture).

 

[gazza619]

I wonder how much revenue was lost. Not good for the expensive affairs of BCCI.

 

[oatmeal]

I made thread last year about cricket in low AQI cities and many ( not all) Indians used it to have a go at Pakistan instead, pretending it was non issue and instead saying ICC should cancel ICC champions trophy in Pakistan.

Here is end result - players walking about in mask and game getting called off due to pollution.

First time in history of sport. How embarrassing.

And no we aren't much better in Pakistan before anyone thinks it's nationalistic point scoring. South Africa series matches in Faisalabad recently were also pretty bad.

Rather than get upset and point fingers at each other we should try to lobby and pressure our respective boards and governments. It's a disgrace.

A lot of Indians posting on forums and online are middle class and above and this demographic is usually very supportive of BJP. Add to that getting reflexively defensive of external criticism , the response is always to deflect and deny criticism. Even now the criticism is because its impossible to deny the toxic smog around them

Beijing faced the same smog issue that Delhi is currently facing. they just spend years and a lot of money to fix the issue and Beijing is very clean now. Its a solvable problem but the government has to accept there is an issue instead of just trying to fix the readings by spraying water over the meters.

 

[nish_mate]

There were many people who were doing bhangra when there was fog during Pakistan series at home but none of the game was called off....

Where are they now??? Come on out

Probably the same place where you were last Sunday and a few posters are after 2 days in a row Ozzie snicko performance....

They never came out either