The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to undertake a major review of its winter match scheduling after intense fog led to the abandonment of a crucial international fixture. The fourth T20I between India and South Africa, scheduled for December 17, 2025, at Lucknow's Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, was called off without a ball being bowled due to poor visibility.
BCCI Official Calls for Scheduling Overhaul
In the aftermath of the cancellation, Rajeev Shukla, Vice-President of the BCCI Executive Board, addressed the media on Thursday, December 18. He stated that the cricket governing body will seriously reconsider planning matches in North India during the peak winter period. "We will need to review the scheduling of matches between 15 December to 15 January in North India to determine whether we need to shift them to south India or west India," Shukla told ANI. He emphasized that the disappointment of fans was a key factor, and noted that domestic matches are also frequently disrupted by similar weather conditions.
This incident marks a dubious first for Indian cricket—it is the first major international match in the country to be completely abandoned due to fog. The match was notably the first night T20I scheduled at the 50,000-seater Lucknow venue in the month of December, a decision now under scrutiny.
Political Appeal to Move Matches South
The cancellation prompted immediate reactions, including from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. He publicly urged Shukla to shift the winter schedule matches to venues in South India. "Rajiv ji, I was saying that apart from scheduling matches in North India in January, Kerala aaiye (come to Kerala)," Tharoor said during an interaction.
In his response, Shukla acknowledged the suggestion but pointed to the existing rotation policy for allocating matches. He reiterated that the specific window from mid-December to mid-January requires a dedicated inspection to avoid future disruptions.
Broader Implications for World Cup Preparations
The abandoned fixture raises significant questions about the BCCI's scheduling strategy in the lead-up to major global events. This series against South Africa was a critical part of India's preparations for the T20 World Cup, which is slated for February-March 2026. Losing a competitive match due to avoidable weather-related scheduling has highlighted a potential flaw in the planning process.
The incident has sparked a wider debate among fans and experts. Former players like Dale Steyn and Robin Uthappa had previously questioned the match officials' numerous fog inspections in Lucknow, suggesting a lack of clarity in the decision-making process during such conditions.
As the BCCI contemplates this scheduling review, the focus will be on balancing the geographical distribution of matches across India with the practicalities of seasonal weather patterns. The outcome of this review could see a significant shift in where international cricket is played in India during the winter months, potentially benefiting cricket hubs in the southern and western parts of the country.
