Dense fog and smog had the final say in Lucknow on Wednesday, forcing the complete abandonment of the fourth T20 International between India and South Africa at the Ekana Stadium. The match was called off without a single ball being bowled after a long evening of uncertainty and repeated umpire inspections, leaving fans disappointed.
A Frustrating Evening of Delays and Inspections
The trouble began well before the scheduled start. A thick layer of fog and smog enveloped the ground, severely reducing visibility and forcing an immediate delay to the toss. Initially pushed back to 6:50 PM, the toss never took place as match officials, led by the on-field umpires, continuously monitored the challenging conditions.
Despite hopes for improvement as the evening progressed, the visibility failed to clear. The first major inspection occurred at 7:30 PM, but officials deemed conditions unsafe for play. South African players, who had been warming up, were sent back to the dressing room. A detailed test followed at 8:00 PM, with one umpire standing at the pitch and another moving to the boundary to assess if they could see each other and track the ball clearly under the floodlights.
No Relief from the Weather
With no change, inspections became a recurring theme. Another check at 8:30 PM saw the pitch covered with a cloth rug to protect it from moisture. By 9:00 PM, even BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla was present on the field, discussing the situation with the umpires. A final inspection was announced for 9:25 PM.
Throughout this period, patient fans in the stadium clung to the hope of a shortened game. However, during the last assessment, umpires examined visibility from the batter's crease and the effectiveness of the floodlights. With the fog unrelenting and player safety the paramount concern, the inevitable decision to abandon the match was finally made.
Series Implications and the Final Showdown
This abandonment has significant implications for the five-match series. India continues to lead the series 2-1. South Africa now has only one remaining opportunity to level the contest. All attention now shifts to the decisive final match.
The fifth and final T20 International will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both teams will be hoping for clearer skies and better weather to ensure a full, competitive match that provides a fitting conclusion to the series.
