The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to heavy fog at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, sparking criticism of the BCCI’s winter scheduling in North India.
The decision drew scrutiny as dense fog and high pollution levels severely reduced visibility, leaving fans disappointed after they were unable to witness even a single innings. With air quality remaining poor across several North Indian cities during winter, questions were raised over the choice of venue.
Responding to the situation, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla said the board would review its scheduling policy for matches held in north India between December 15 and January 15, a period frequently affected by fog.
“The match had to be cancelled due to fog. People were upset about it. We will need to review the scheduling of matches between December 15 and January 15 in north India to determine whether we need to shift them to south India or west India. Domestic matches are also being affected due to fog,” Shukla said.
#WATCH | Delhi | On Lucknow India vs South Africa match cancellation, VP- BCCI Executive Board, Rajeev Shukla says,” The match had to be cancelled due to fog. The people were upset about it. We will need to review the scheduling of matches between 15 December to 15 January in… pic.x.com/vO7LsHS4DL
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2025
The issue also drew political attention. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, taking to social media, pointed out the stark contrast in air quality levels between Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram, suggesting the match could have been hosted in Kerala instead.
“Cricket fans have been waiting in vain for the #INDvSA ODI to start in Lucknow. But thanks to dense smog, pervasive in most north Indian cities, and an AQI of 411, visibility is too poor to permit a game of cricket. They should’ve scheduled the game in Thiruvananthapuram, where AQI is about 68 right now!” Tharoor wrote.
Cricket fans have been waiting in vain for the #INDVSSAODI to start in Lucknow. But thanks to dense smog, pervasive in most north Indian cities, and an AQI of 411, visibility is too poor to permit a game of cricket. They should’ve scheduled the game in Thiruvananthapuram, where…
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 17, 2025
During a subsequent interaction with the media, Tharoor reiterated his point in a light-hearted exchange with Rajeev Shukla, who is also a member of the Rajya Sabha, to consider Kerala for fixtures during this window, saying, “Aaiye Kerala (come to Kerala).”
Congress MP @ShashiTharoor has urged BCCI Vice President #RajeevShukla to move winter matches to South India after the India against South Africa T20I in Lucknow was cancelled owing to fog. #INDvsSA #T20Cricket #Lucknow #TheStatesman pic.x.com/NRpQxgqO49
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) December 18, 2025
India will be at an advantage with a 2-1 lead in the T20I series. The fifth and final T20I of the series will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19.
Meanwhile, India all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series due to illness and has been replaced by Shahbaz Ahmed. Shubman Gill is also unavailable after sustaining a toe injury during a training session.
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. (ANI)