Due to thick fog, India against South Africa 4th T20I at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium was called off on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, before a ball was bowled. According to the BCCI, the toss was scheduled for 6:30 PM IST but was delayed owing to thick fog.
Umpires scheduled pitch inspections for 6:50 PM, 7:30 PM, 8 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9 PM. Everyone was upset by the seemingly lengthy wait. At 9:25 p.m., the game was called off following a final inspection. While there was severe fog throughout, numerous social media users speculated that pollution had a significant role in the desertion.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took to social media and took a jab at the BCCI, stating that North India in winters has thick fog and extreme pollution, citing the AQI (Air Quality Index). He further stated that the match should’ve been played in Kerala, where there is no pollution.
“Cricket fans have been waiting in vain for the #INDVSSAODI to start in Lucknow. But thanks to dense smog, pervasive in most North Indian cities, and an AQI of 411, visibility is too poor to permit a game of cricket. They should've scheduled the game in Thiruvananthapuram, where the AQI is about 68 right now!" Tharoor posted on X.
Tharoor was not alone; Indian cricket fans were also very angry with the BCCI for scheduling cricket matches in North India in winter.
Here are a few fan posts:
