IND vs SA 4th T20I finally gets called off without a ball being bowled due to excessive fog

The fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow has been abandoned without the toss even taking place on December 17. Dense fog at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium created a thick shroud over the field, reducing visibility to a level where match play became impossible. Despite the stadium lights being at full power, the haze remained too thick for officials to ensure a safe playing environment.

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India vs South Africa 4th T20I abandoned

The cancellation has sparked significant criticism of the BCCI's Tours and Fixtures Committee. Many are questioning the decision to schedule a day-night international in northern India during the peak of winter, a time when heavy fog is a predictable and recurring issue. Critics argue that staging high-profile matches in these regions during December and January repeatedly risks disruptions, yet the board continues to choose these venues despite the obvious weather patterns.

Poor visibility made it impossible for the match to proceed

Officials made several attempts to get the game started, conducting inspections at 6:50 PM, 7:30 PM, and every thirty minutes thereafter until 9:25 PM. During one assessment, umpires even performed a practical test where one stood near the pitch while the other retreated to the boundary to see if they could track the ball or each other. BCCI Vice-President and UPCA President Rajiv Shukla was also seen on the field assessing the conditions, but each check concluded that the fog showed no signs of lifting.

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The atmosphere at the ground was surreal as players from both teams tried to stay active during the long wait. The South African squad attempted a light warm-up before being forced back into the dressing room, while Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a face mask to deal with the heavy, cold air. Ultimately, after nearly three hours of monitoring, the match was called off, leaving India with their 2-1 series lead intact heading into the final game.

Meanwhile, the fifth and final T20I between India and South Africa is scheduled to be played on December 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.