The umpires have announced a revised inspection five times already as extreme fog has delayed the toss for the fourth T20I between India and South Africa at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. India all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s photo of him wearing a mask while warming up has gone viral. The AQI is more than 450 which is considered hazardous especially for playing sport. India enter the game with a 2-1 lead, and can clinch series victory today with a win. However, earlier in the day news broke out that India vice-captain Shubman Gill has reportedly been ruled out of the T20I series due to a foot injury. Official confirmation is awaited. So it will be interesting to see what happens.
The latest update suggest that match is abandoned without a ball being bowled. Earlier, the match can start is by 9:46pm for a 5 over game. But the fog is unlikely to get better and it will get more dense as the night progresses. Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa on Star Sports criticised the umpire’s decision to extend the inspection time instead of calling off the game, stating that the weather is unlikely to get better.
This is not the first time that a cricket match has been delayed due to fog. India vs New Zealand ODI World Cup 2023 match in Dharamsala was halted twice due to dense fog during the Indian innings. Umpires paused the game because the fast bowlers deliveries were difficult for the batters to see in the thick haze, posing a safety risk. Play resumed shortly after the fog lifted and the match was completed. However in this scenario at Lucknow it is unlikely to get any better as the night progresses and this match is likely to be called off. The fifth and final match kf the series will be played on 19th December.
