Foggy Finish: Lucknow T20I Abandoned as Dense Fog Halts Play

The fourth T20 international match between India and South Africa, scheduled at the Ekana Stadium, was abandoned on Wednesday due to ‘excessive fog’.

Players continued with their pre-match routines, but the toss, originally set for 6:30 p.m., was delayed. Match officials then decided on an inspection at 6:50 p.m.

Following this, on-field umpires K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan and Rohan Pandit, along with reserve umpire J.R. Madanagopal, conducted further inspections every half-hour from 7:30 p.m. to 9:25 p.m. As conditions deteriorated, the match was ultimately called off at 9:30 p.m.

Players returned to the dressing room by 7:15 p.m., as the visibility near the long-on boundary from the pavilion end was poor. By the third inspection at 8 p.m., the fog had covered most of the stadium, prompting the groundstaff to cover the pitch.

Despite the ongoing delays, hopeful spectators waited eagerly for the match to begin. However, minutes before the final inspection, some spectators began throwing objects, leading security forces to step in and quickly restore order.

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India currently leads the five-match series 2-1, with the final game scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad on December 19.

The dense fog affecting Northern India over the week has disrupted flight and train schedules since Monday.

Fog frequently impacts cricket matches during this season, causing delayed starts and shortened play times.

The combination of winter fog and worsening air pollution, particularly in the northern regions, remains a significant concern.

According to the AQI website, Lucknow’s air quality exceeded the hazardous level of 400 on Wednesday. India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a protective mask during warm-up activities, raising questions about scheduling matches in this region during winter.

In 2017, air pollution briefly interrupted the third Test between India and Sri Lanka in New Delhi, with several Sri Lankan players experiencing breathing difficulties and wearing masks. Pacer Suranga Lakmal also suffered from vomiting during the Test.

Additionally, it was reported that India’s vice-captain, Shubman Gill, injured his toe during training before the match and was unlikely to have played on Wednesday. His availability for the next game remains uncertain.

Published on Dec 17, 2025