Dense fog and smog took center stage in Lucknow on December 17, 2025, as the highly anticipated fourth T20 International between India and South Africa was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Fans who packed the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, hoping for a pivotal clash in the five-match series, were left disappointed as visibility concerns forced match officials to call off play after nearly three hours of anxious waiting and repeated inspections.
The evening began with optimism, as both squads arrived at the venue ready to resume their battle. India, leading the series 2-1, eyed a chance to seal their eighth consecutive T20I series victory, while South Africa looked to level the contest and keep their hopes alive. But as the sun dipped and the winter chill set in, a thick blanket of fog rolled over the ground, reducing visibility to dangerous levels and casting immediate doubt over the match’s fate.
The scheduled toss at 6:30 PM IST was the first casualty, postponed as the umpires and officials surveyed the murky conditions. What followed was a waiting game that tested the patience of players, coaches, and thousands of supporters. Umpires conducted a series of six inspections at roughly 30-minute intervals—6:50 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:00 PM, and finally 9:25 PM IST—each time hoping for a miracle break in the weather. But the fog only thickened under the floodlights, rendering it impossible to spot the white ball, let alone ensure player safety.
Senior BCCI official Rajiv Shukla was seen in deep discussion with the umpires during the final inspection, but the outcome was inevitable. With no improvement in sight, the officials made the call to abandon the game, marking the first time an international cricket match in India was called off due to excessive fog. The disappointment was palpable, especially among the fans who had braved the chilly conditions and among the players, who had prepared for a decisive encounter.
Former India batter Robin Uthappa, on commentary duty for JioHotstar, did not hold back his frustration with the drawn-out decision-making process. “I’m actually not even listening to you because I’m so befuddled by the umpire’s decision right now. How do they think it’s going to get better as the night wears on? It’s not going to get better, it’s only going to get worse. It’s counterintuitive. What are they actually thinking, and what do they think will happen in half an hour that hasn’t happened over the last hour and a half? It’s quite confusing that they’ve still decided to give it half an hour more,” Uthappa remarked, capturing the exasperation felt by many.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert for very dense fog across 13 districts in eastern and central Uttar Pradesh, with a yellow alert for 27 more districts. The hazardous conditions were no surprise to locals, but the timing couldn’t have been worse for cricket fans. This was the first time Lucknow hosted a T20I in December, and the city’s notorious winter fog lived up to its reputation, bringing international cricket to a standstill.
The abandonment left India ahead 2-1 in the series, with only one match remaining. Both teams will now turn their focus to the fifth and final T20I, scheduled for December 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. For South Africa, the washout means a single opportunity remains to draw the series, while India will look to clinch yet another T20I series triumph on home soil.
Despite the lack of action in Lucknow, the series has already provided plenty of talking points. India’s squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, has seen notable performances from players like Varun Chakravarthy, who surged to a career-high 818 points in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowler Rankings after a string of impressive spells. Arshdeep Singh also made headlines, climbing to 16th in the bowling charts following a Player of the Match performance in the third T20I at Dharamsala.
On the batting front, Abhishek Sharma’s fearless approach has drawn praise from former national batting coach Sanjay Bangar. “First of all, it’s his attacking mindset. If there’s a delivery outside the off stump, he hits it very hard. One very important aspect of his batting is his high backlift. He holds the bat above the handle, which gives him excellent reach. Because of the swing he generates, he can hit big sixes, especially over the covers. Hitting sixes over the covers is a special ability. He doesn’t try to hit from below, which gives him an incredible range,” Bangar explained.
Hardik Pandya’s all-round abilities have also been a boon for India, with Bangar noting, “Going deep inside the crease is Hardik Pandya’s speciality. Even when he goes that deep, his weight remains on the front foot, which is a very good thing. As a batter, we always encourage waiting for the ball. He plays with a very wide base, which allows him to generate a lot of power.” With the ball, Pandya’s fuller deliveries and ability to swing the ball have made him a crucial asset, especially in tight situations.
However, not all news has been positive for India. Vice-captain Shubman Gill was ruled out of the Lucknow match with a foot injury, while captain Suryakumar Yadav continues to search for his best form. “The thing is, I’ve been batting beautifully in the nets. I’m trying everything that’s in my control. When the runs have to come, they’ll definitely come. I’m not out of form, but definitely out of runs,” Suryakumar admitted after the third T20I. His average this season has dipped below 15, and he’s yet to notch a half-century in 2025—a concern with the T20 World Cup looming just two months away.
South Africa, for their part, have struggled for consistency since last June’s T20 World Cup final, losing 18 of their last 28 matches in the shortest format. Captain Aiden Markram has rung the changes in search of a settled combination, but the constant rotation has made it difficult for the Proteas to find rhythm. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje, recently picked by Lucknow Super Giants at the IPL 2026 auction, expressed his excitement about being back with the squad and his determination to improve. “It’s nice to be back, I really missed it and really enjoying my time here. I’m sort of happy with the progress. There’s still a lot of cricket to play. For me, it’s just to try and focus game by game, day by day, and just try and get better every day, but I’ve really been enjoying the time back and it’s been great to be with the team,” Nortje said at the pre-match press conference.
As both teams regroup and head to Ahmedabad, all eyes will be on the weather and on the players who have the chance to make a difference in the series decider. One thing is certain: after the fog-induced drama in Lucknow, the anticipation for a clear and competitive finale has never been higher. The final T20I promises to be a fitting conclusion to a series that has swung wildly and kept fans on the edge of their seats—even when the action was halted by forces beyond anyone’s control.
