A view of Ekana Cricket Stadium shrouded in dense fog ahead of the fourth T20 International between India and South Africa, in Lucknow, on December 17, 2025. | Photo Credit: PTI
India is ahead 2-1 in the five-match series, with the final game scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad on Friday (December 19).
Worsening conditions
K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan and Rohan Pandit, the on-field umpires, along with reserve umpire J.R. Madanagopal had many inspections before calling off the game at 9.30 p.m. as the conditions worsened.
Initially, visibility near the long-on boundary at the pavilion end was poor, but by 8 p.m., a haze had engulfed most of the stadium.
The spectators, who had waited patiently, began throwing things onto the field before the final inspection. The security personnel restored order quickly.
Fog has often affected matches, especially the domestic ones, at this time of the year in North India.
Hazardous levels
According to the AQI website, the air quality in Lucknow on Wednesday exceeded 400 and was in the hazardous levels.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a protective face mask during the pre-match routine, raising questions about allotting games to this region during winter.
In 2017, during the third Test between India and Sri Lanka, play was interrupted on the second day due to high pollution after a few Lankan players complained of breathing issues. Pacer Suranga Lakmal also suffered a bout of vomiting during the Test.
Gill injured
It is learnt that Shubman Gill suffered a toe injury while training on the eve of the game and would not have played on Wednesday.
Gill’s participation in the final match of the series is also in doubt.
Published – December 17, 2025 07:53 pm IST
