The much-anticipated fourth T20 International between India and South Africa was called off without a single ball being bowled on Wednesday night in Lucknow. However, the abandoned match ignited a significant controversy, shifting focus from the pitch to the polluted skies above, after senior Congress leader and noted cricket aficionado Shashi Tharoor launched a sharp attack on the decision to play in the city.
Fog Forces Abandonment, Frustration Mounts
Persistent and heavy fog, officially described as "excessive," completely enveloped the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium as evening fell. The poor visibility made any prospect of play impossible. The scheduled toss at 6:30 PM IST was initially pushed back to 6:50 PM, followed by a series of anxious inspections by the match officials. With conditions showing no sign of improvement, the umpires had no choice but to officially abandon the fixture around 9:30 PM.
Players from both teams endured long waits on the field before finally retreating to the dressing rooms, their frustration mirrored by thousands of disappointed fans in the stands. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later issued a statement confirming the cancellation was due to unsafe playing conditions caused by the intense fog.
Tharoor's Viral Critique: Pollution Takes Centre Stage
The debate quickly moved online, where Shashi Tharoor amplified growing concerns about environmental conditions and sporting events. In a post on social media platform X, Tharoor directly questioned the logic behind scheduling the match in Lucknow given the hazardous air quality.
"Cricket fans have been waiting in vain for the #INDVSSAODI to start in Lucknow," Tharoor wrote. "But thanks to dense smog, pervasive in most north Indian cities, and an AQI of 411, visibility is too poor to permit a game. They should’ve scheduled the game in Thiruvananthapuram, where AQI is about 68 right now!"
His comments resonated widely, highlighting the severe pollution crisis. Reports indicated that PM2.5 levels in Lucknow were over five times the safe limits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The grim reality was starkly visible when Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a surgical mask during warm-ups, an image that spread rapidly across social media.
Series Status and Lingering Questions
With this abandonment, India, the reigning T20 world champions, continue to lead the five-match series 2–1. The final and decisive match of the series is now scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad on December 19.
However, the incident has left behind pressing questions about player welfare, fan experience, and the criteria for selecting venues during North India's peak pollution season. Tharoor's critique has put the spotlight firmly on the BCCI's decision-making process, urging a reconsideration of how environmental factors are weighed against commercial and logistical ones in modern cricket scheduling.
