The abandonment of the fourth T20 International between India and South Africa in Lucknow due to "excessive fog" has ignited a storm of criticism, raising serious questions about accountability within Indian cricket. The match, scheduled for Wednesday at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, never saw a ball bowled, marking the first time in T20I history a game has been called off due to fog.
Frustration has mounted as fans, who braved cold conditions and hazardous air quality, were left disappointed. Many traveled long distances and made financial sacrifices to attend the match, with one fan claiming he "sold three sacks of wheat" to buy a ticket. While refunds are expected per BCCI policy, many feel it doesn't compensate for the missed experience.
The BCCI's scheduling choices have come under intense scrutiny. Critics question the logic of hosting day-night international matches in North India during peak winter, when fog and pollution are known to disrupt play. Shashi Tharoor, a Congress leader, suggested Thiruvananthapuram as a more suitable alternative, citing its better air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lucknow was reportedly over 400, considered hazardous, and Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a mask during warm-ups.
The on-field umpires conducted six inspections, delaying the toss multiple times before finally calling off the match at 9:25 PM IST. During inspections, visibility tests were conducted, with officials struggling to see the ball clearly. Even BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla assessed the conditions. Former players like Dale Steyn and Robin Uthappa questioned the repeated delays, noting the unlikelihood of conditions improving.
This incident is not an isolated one. The BCCI has faced similar criticism for scheduling a match in Dharamsala, where low temperatures posed challenges for players. These scheduling decisions raise concerns about player welfare and the overall fan experience. Some fans suggested scheduling matches earlier in the day to avoid fog-related issues.
The abandonment in Lucknow has sparked debate over potential changes to the scheduling process. The incident underscores the need for greater foresight and consideration of weather conditions when planning international cricket matches in North India.
With the series still up for grabs, both teams now head to Ahmedabad for the final T20I. While India leads the series 2-1, the focus has shifted from on-field performance to the administrative missteps that led to the Lucknow washout.
