The fourth T20I between India and South Africa has been called off despite no rain in Lucknow on Wednesday (December 17) due to fog and poor visibility.
IND vs SA: Why was the T20I called off?
The match, scheduled to begin at 7pm IST, was postponed shortly after the toss - due to take place half an hour earlier - could not be held as dense fog engulfed the stadium. Reporters noted the visibility at the venue was so poor that it was tough to even spot the stands at the opposite end. It raised concerns over whether batters and fielders would be able to see the ball safely.
After six separate inspections, officials eventually called off the match at 9.25pm, just 21 minutes before the final permissible start time of 9.46pm. During one of the inspections, the on-field umpires - one near the boundary, and the other at the centre - tried to spot one another.
Data from the AQI.in app showed that visibility in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, had dropped to around one kilometre at 9 pm, which is classified as low visibility and typically associated with foggy conditions. However, the situation was worsened by more than just the weather. Elevated pollution levels, driven by high concentrations of particulate matter - PM2.5 and PM10 - combined with a deteriorating Air Quality Index, which suggests how polluted the air is at any time, significantly worsen conditions.
It only takes a minute or so to start feeling a tightness in the chest. Worse if you're even slightly asthmatic like me. That they continued to delay what seemed inevitable all through the evening by the guise of inspections says much about how they still look after fans. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/qbfxKM2MSE
— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) December 17, 2025
How bad was the pollution?
At 7pm, the AQI in Lucknow touched 425, which falls under the ‘Hazardous’ category. A level between 0-50 is generally considered ‘Good’, while anything between 51-100 is considered ‘Moderate’. Anything above 150 is classified as ‘Unhealthy’, and anything above 300 falls in the ‘Hazardous’ category. Outdoor activity is highly discouraged in these conditions, and the decision of the BCCI to host an international game in North India at this time of the year, when the pollution levels are generally at their worst, has been criticised. Hardik Pandya was spotted training at the ground with a mask covering his face.
Along with the cold weather, the temperature dropped to around 13 degrees Celsius at 9 pm, which led to the thick smog enveloping the Ekana Stadium.
Earlier this year, the BCCI had made a last-minute change to its Test schedule in anticipation of the high pollution levels, moving the India-South Africa game, originally to be held in New Delhi, also in northern India, in November, to the eastern city of Kolkata. A fun fact (well, not so much!): Unofficial reports claim the AQI in India’s capital city has even touched 1,000 this year!
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