Persistent heavy fog and hazardous air quality force cancellation.

Cricket fans were left disappointed on Wednesday evening as the highly anticipated India vs South Africa 4th T20I was abandoned without a single ball being bowled. The match, scheduled to take place at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, fell victim to dense fog and hazardous air quality levels, leaving officials with no choice but to call off proceedings.

Visibility Issues Halt Play

From the outset, conditions in Lucknow looked bleak. As players arrived for warm-ups, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was reported at a hazardous 411. The visibility was so poor that Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a mask during the pre-match warm-ups to protect against the smog.

Despite the enthusiasm of the crowd, who stayed in the stands hoping for a breakthrough, the weather did not cooperate. Umpires conducted multiple pitch inspections throughout the evening—at 6:50 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:00 pm, 8:30 pm, and 9:00 pm—hoping for the fog to dissipate.

The Final Decision

BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla was seen on the ground during the late inspections, highlighting the efforts made to get the game underway. Officials even pushed the final cut-off time, scheduling a last-ditch inspection for 9:25 pm. However, it became clear that visibility was not improving enough to guarantee player safety.

The umpires eventually confirmed the abandonment, noting that while the pitch—a mix of red and black soil—was ready, the atmospheric conditions made cricket impossible.

Series Update and Team News

Before the cancellation, there was some positive news for the Indian camp as Jasprit Bumrah was seen participating in warm-ups, suggesting his fitness issues have been resolved.

With this match washed out, India retains their 2-1 lead in the series. The focus now shifts to the final showdown this Friday, where India will look to clinch the series, while South Africa will aim to level terms to conclude the tour.