Excessive fog in Lucknow forced the abandonment of the fourth T20I between India and South Africa at the Ekana Stadium on Wednesday, with officials calling off the match after six inspections failed to show any improvement in visibility.
The state capital woke up to another thick blanket of fog, with visibility plunging to as low as 10 metres in several areas. Buildings and vehicles were barely discernible through the dense cover during the morning hours, and residents described the fog as unusually intense. Commuters were forced to keep headlights on well after sunrise to navigate safely.
Suryakumar Yadav’s India were scheduled to face Aiden Markram’s South Africa in what could have been a decisive game in the five-match series. However, thick smog enveloping the Ekana Stadium meant play was deemed unsafe, and the match was abandoned without a toss. Scheduled to begin at 7pm, the encounter was officially called off at around 9.30pm after repeated inspections.
India continue to lead the series 2–1, setting up an intriguing finale in Ahmedabad on Friday. A series victory would hand India their 14th consecutive T20I series triumph. So far, India have held the upper hand in a contest between the two finalists of the last T20 World Cup.
The series has also brought scrutiny on the form of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill, with both struggling for runs in the shortest format ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
According to the Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature in Lucknow dipped to around 17°C, about 6°C below normal, while the minimum was expected to hover near 10°C. The chill was most pronounced in the early hours, prompting residents to step out wrapped in multiple layers and woollens.
Following the abandonment, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) announced a full refund for spectators. “Fans who booked tickets online will receive a refund through their original mode of payment,” said UPCA secretary Prem Manohar Gupta. “Refund-related notifications will be sent to registered email addresses, and ticket holders are advised to monitor their emails for further updates.”
