The 4th T20I in Lucknow was called off due to severe fog.
The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) should host cricket matches in Kerala during the winter to prevent fog-related disruptions, according to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. This comes a day after thick fog forced the cancellation of the fourth India-South Africa T20I match in Lucknow.
The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was to be played at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. But the game was canceled around 9:30 p.m. due to poor visibility caused by fog. Fans were offended by this and expressed their annoyance to the media.
Tharoor, a four-term MP from Thiruvananthapuram, wrote on X that the AQI in north Indian cities had surpassed 411, and that matches should be planned in the Kerala capital, where the AQI is 68.
Meanwhile, on the morning of December 18, 2025, Shashi Tharoor was asked about the cancelled match.
"How will they play if they cannot see the ball? That's why I am saying, this pollution problem is not there in South India. The ball can then be seen, we can play well, and cricket fans won't be heartbroken," Tharoor told NDTV.
Asked about party colleague and BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla's remark that the fog situation has affected the whole of north India, Tharoor replied, "So why schedule matches in north India at this time? Schedule them in south India. I will tell Rajeev ji," he said.
At this moment, Rajeev Shukla approached Tharoor, and the Thiruvananthapuram MP said, "Instead of scheduling matches in north India in January, come to Kerala." Shukla replied that matches are allotted to venues on a rotational basis, but the board will take a relook.