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The fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow was cancelled due to heavy fog and poor visibility. BCCI confirms UPCA will manage refunds. The match highlighted challenges of winter cricket scheduling amid unpredictable weather.
Fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow cancelled
Lucknow: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) will handle the refund process for ticket holders. The fourth T20I match between India and South Africa in Lucknow was cancelled due to heavy fog and poor visibility.
As a result, spectators who attended the stadium are eligible for a refund. According to BCCI policy, if a match is cancelled before it begins, ticket holders are entitled to a refund, excluding any processing fees.
Saikia explained that the authority for ticketing and refunds rests with the state cricket association, and the BCCI only grants the rights to host the match.
IND vs SA: Excessive fog forces abandonment of India vs South Africa 4th T20I in Lucknow
The match was called off at 9:30 PM after umpires K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan, Rohan Pandit, and reserve umpire J.R. Madanagopal conducted several inspections but found no improvement in conditions. Due to the cancellation, India maintains a 2-1 lead in the series, with the final match scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.
IND vs SA 4th T20I match called off due to excessive fog
This was Lucknow's first T20I match and it became the first international match in India to be cancelled due to fog. The match also saw dangerously high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, and player Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a mask on the field.
Saikia stated that this was an exceptional weather situation. Such fog is usually seen in January, but this time it arrived unusually early and unexpectedly.
He also mentioned that the BCCI had already adjusted the Ranji Trophy match schedule in North India due to similar concerns. The BCCI has compartmentalized the match schedule for such weather conditions to minimize the impact on players and matches in North India.
He cited the example of the West Indies Test match in New Delhi, which had its venue changed due to similar weather conditions. However, the situation in Lucknow was completely unexpected, making any kind of match rescheduling impossible.
Saikia also clarified that the fog in Lucknow was unusual and the BCCI will remain vigilant regarding such circumstances. Cricket is played year-round in India, so maintaining the schedule despite weather uncertainties is challenging. The BCCI will continue to factor these conditions into the scheduling of international and domestic matches in the future.
