Fog Forces India vs South Africa T20 Abandonment, Sparks Pollution Debate

The fourth T20 International between India and South Africa at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium was abandoned last night due to dense fog, leaving thousands of cricket fans disappointed. Officials called off the high-profile international match around 9:30 p.m. as visibility sharply declined, making play impossible after a long wait.

This cancellation has brought renewed attention to the issue of winter pollution and fog in North India and its adverse effects on outdoor sports events. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor publicly suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should consider hosting winter matches in southern cities, particularly Kerala, citing hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the northern regions.

He questioned why matches couldnt be relocated until pollution conditions improve. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla addressed these concerns, defending the board’s venue rotation policy but assuring that a comprehensive review of the matter would be conducted.

The incident also drew political commentary, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav remarking on the pollution, humorously stating, "Cover your face, you are in Lucknow,” and attributing some of the issue to Delhi's air quality. The abandonment underscores a growing challenge for sports scheduling in winter months across North India.