Lucknow, India – The toss for the highly anticipated fourth T20I between India and South Africa at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow was delayed today due to severe smog conditions. The dense fog blanketing the stadium significantly reduced visibility, prompting concerns about player safety and the feasibility of the match.
Adding to the unusual scene, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen sporting a mask while on the field. This visual underscored the severity of the air quality, raising questions about the suitability of hosting matches in regions prone to smog during the winter months.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued warnings about the adverse weather conditions, with an orange alert signaling very dense fog across 13 districts in eastern and central Uttar Pradesh. A yellow alert for dense fog was also in place for 27 districts spanning from eastern to western Uttar Pradesh. The conditions have visibly impacted the stadium, with spectators struggling to see across the grounds.
Match officials initially scheduled an inspection for 6:50 PM IST to assess the situation. However, with no significant improvement, another inspection was slated for 7:30 PM IST. As visibility remained poor, a further inspection was scheduled for 8:00 PM IST. The umpires were seen walking to the boundary to gauge visibility and assess whether they could clearly see the ball. All South Africa players, who were earlier seen practicing on the outfield, have returned to the dressing room as fog continues to limit visibility, keeping the start of play uncertain.
Cricket commentator Dale Steyn, present at the ground, remarked on the unusual conditions, stating he had never witnessed such dense fog at a cricket match. He recounted an experience from the previous evening where visibility was limited to just 20 meters. The challenging circumstances have ignited discussions about the practicality of scheduling matches in cities known for winter fog.
The toss delay puts the BCCI's scheduling choices under scrutiny, particularly the decision to host matches in the eastern and northern regions during the winter. The current situation raises concerns about whether conditions will improve as the evening progresses.
In addition to the weather woes, Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the match due to a foot injury.
This fourth T20I holds significant importance, with India leading the five-match series 2-1. A victory in Lucknow would secure the series win for Suryakumar Yadav's team against Aiden Markram's South Africa. However, the persistent smog casts a shadow of doubt over the match, leaving players and fans in anticipation.
