Thousands of fans reached the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow with high hopes on Wednesday evening. They waited for hours to watch India take on South Africa in the fourth T20I. Instead, they returned home disappointed after the match was abandoned due to dense fog and poor air quality.
The game never even reached the toss stage. Officials called it off at 9:25 PM after repeated inspections failed to improve visibility. The decision sparked anger among fans, many of whom demanded refunds for their tickets.
Why Was the IND vs SA 4th T20I Abandoned?
The match was scheduled to start at 7 PM. However, thick fog and smog covered the stadium as evening set in. Umpires conducted six separate inspections before finally abandoning the game.
Players had already stopped warming up by 7:30 PM due to unsafe conditions. Visibility remained poor throughout the evening, making play impossible.
Air Quality and Weather Conditions in Lucknow
Lucknow recorded hazardous air quality on Wednesday night. The Air Quality Index crossed 400, placing it in the dangerous category. Combined with temperatures dropping to nearly 14 degrees Celsius, the smog became too thick for players and officials.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a mask on the field. BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla also spoke with match officials at the venue, though the situation did not improve.
Fans Demand Refund After Match Cancellation
The abandoned match triggered strong reactions from fans inside and outside the stadium. Many felt let down after spending money and time to attend the game.
“I sold three sacks of wheat and came here to watch the match. I want my money back,” said one of the fan.
Another supporter said, “Tickets and reimbursement are irrelevant. We wanted to see the match, see our Indian Cricket Team. I am heartbroken. Had the BCCI scheduled the match during the day, at least we would watched the game.”
Questions Raised Over BCCI’s Winter Scheduling
The cancellation has once again raised concerns about hosting night matches in north India during peak winter months. Cities in the region often face heavy pollution and fog during this time.
Many fans and experts questioned why the match was not scheduled during daytime or moved to a city with better air quality.
Shashi Tharoor Voices Concern for Fans
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also reacted to the abandoned match. He expressed sympathy for fans and pointed out that other cities had much safer air conditions.
“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 AQI is about 68 right now!” Tharoor wrote on X.
What Happens Next in the IND vs SA Series?
With the fourth T20I abandoned, attention now shifts to the final match of the series. Ahmedabad will host the fifth and last T20I on Friday.
The Lucknow washout has left fans disappointed and has reopened the debate around player safety, fan experience, and scheduling matches during winter pollution spells in northern India.
