Persistent fog and poor visibility meant no play was possible in the fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow, forcing the match to be abandoned without a ball bowled.
Although Lucknow’s air quality index hovered in the hazardous early-to-mid 400s, it was the thick fog that ultimately decided the fate of the game. The umpires conducted six separate inspections, with one official stationed at the square boundary to check whether the white ball held up near the pitch was visible. When conditions failed to improve, play was finally called off at 9.26pm.
With India leading the five-match series 2-1, the abandonment guarantees them an extension of their remarkable unbeaten run in T20I series to 15. However, they missed the opportunity to clinch the series outright, leaving the outcome to be decided in the fifth and final match, scheduled for Friday in Ahmedabad.
Winter cricket in north India has long been a subject of debate, and not only because of visibility issues. Air quality routinely deteriorates to dangerous levels during this period, prompting scheduling concerns. The BCCI, for instance, had initially slated a Test against South Africa in Delhi before opting to move it earlier in the season, ahead of Diwali, when pollution levels are comparatively lower.
South Africa’s tour will conclude in Ahmedabad after an eventful few weeks. They dominated the Test series with a 2-0 sweep, pushed the ODI series to a decider before India claimed it 2-1, and have seen India assert themselves in their strongest format, the T20Is, to take a 2-1 lead so far.
India also received a timely boost ahead of the finale, with Jasprit Bumrah—who missed the previous match for personal reasons—rejoining the squad in Lucknow. The series decider will now be played in his hometown, adding an extra layer of anticipation to Friday’s clash.
