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A high profile international cricket match in Lucknow was abandoned after heavy smog reduced visibility at the stadium. The incident triggered political reactions, sharp criticism of governance and renewed concerns over worsening air quality across north India.
T20 match in Lucknow abandoned due to heavy smog.
Lucknow: The fourth T20 international match between India and South Africa in Lucknow was called off after severe smog made play impossible. The match, scheduled at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, faced repeated delays as thick haze enveloped the ground. Despite efforts to wait for conditions to improve, visibility remained extremely poor, forcing officials to abandon the contest altogether.
Live visuals from the stadium showed dense smog hovering over the field, making it difficult for players and officials to see clearly. Floodlights were switched on to improve visibility, but the effort failed to make a meaningful difference. Match officials carried out several inspections at different intervals before deciding that the safety of players could not be ensured under such conditions.
The calling off of the match quickly moved beyond sport and into the political arena. Leaders from opposition parties questioned the decision to host an international game in Lucknow during a season known for poor air quality. They argued that the scheduling reflected poor planning and a lack of concern for both players and spectators.
दिल्ली का प्रदूषण अब लखनऊ तक पहुँच गया है। इसीलिए लखनऊ में आयोजित होनेवाला अंतरराष्ट्रीय क्रिकेट मैच नहीं हो पा रहा है। दरअसल इसकी वजह कोहरा या फ़ॉग नहीं, स्मॉग है।
हमने जो पार्क लखनऊ की शुद्ध हवा के लिए बनवाए थे, भाजपा सरकार वहाँ भी इंवेटबाजी करवाकर उन्हें बर्बाद करना चाहती… pic.twitter.com/X71TvretcV
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) December 17, 2025
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav reacted strongly to the situation, saying that pollution from Delhi had effectively reached Lucknow. He claimed that what halted the match was not natural fog but toxic smog. According to him, the incident highlighted how serious the pollution crisis had become in Uttar Pradesh capital.
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Akhilesh Yadav also accused the current state government of damaging green spaces developed to provide clean air for residents. He said parks created during his tenure were now facing encroachment and misuse in the name of large events. He alleged that such actions showed disregard for both people and the environment.
Ending his remarks with a sharp message, the former chief minister urged residents to cover their faces while outdoors. He suggested that air quality in Lucknow had deteriorated to the extent that protective measures were necessary. His comments struck a chord amid growing public concern over health risks linked to pollution.
The issue also drew reactions from leaders outside the state. One senior parliamentarian remarked that cricket fans were left disappointed due to dense smog and extremely poor air quality. He pointed out that matches could have been scheduled in cities with significantly cleaner air, highlighting the contrast in environmental conditions across regions.
The abandoned match has become a symbol of the larger air pollution problem affecting many cities in north India. Several urban centres are currently recording poor to severe air quality levels, raising alarms about public health and environmental sustainability. The Lucknow incident has intensified calls for stronger action and long term solutions to tackle rising pollution.
