Following the abandonment of the 4th T20 International (T20I) between India and South Africa in Lucknow due to heavy fog, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has addressed the growing demands for ticket refunds. The match, held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (BRSABV) Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, was called off at 9:30 PM after multiple inspections by umpires K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan, Rohan Pandit, and reserve umpire J.R. Madanagopal due to poor visibility. Not a single ball was bowled, leaving thousands of fans who had purchased tickets disappointed.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the responsibility for issuing refunds lies with the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), the host association for the match. "That is under the domain of the state cricket association, which is the UPCA. Everything related to ticketing is handled by the state association, as the BCCI only grants hosting rights," Saikia told IANS on Thursday. He emphasized that the UPCA is the "competent authority" to oversee the refund process for ticket holders.
According to BCCI's existing refund policy, spectators are typically eligible for a reimbursement, minus processing fees, if a match is canceled or abandoned before a single ball is bowled. UPCA Secretary Prem Gupta stated that the refund process would begin on Friday, December 19, 2025. He confirmed that the full ticket price, excluding service charges, would be refunded to fans who purchased tickets both online and offline. For online purchases, refunds will be processed online to the linked bank accounts. For those who bought tickets offline, the UPCA will set up booths at the Ekana Stadium to facilitate the refund process. Advertisements with further details will be placed in newspapers.
The abandonment of the match has triggered criticism regarding the scheduling of international matches in North India during the winter season. Dense fog and poor air quality have frequently disrupted matches in recent years, raising concerns about player safety and the overall fan experience. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla stated that the board would review venue scheduling and consider shifting fixtures to southern or western India, where weather conditions are more favorable.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions. Cricket expert Kris Srikkanth called it a "foreseeable fiasco," suggesting the BCCI should prioritize player and fan safety over rigid calendars, considering that winter fog in Lucknow is a recurring issue. Some fans expressed their frustration, with one stating he "sold three sacks of wheat" to buy tickets and demanded not only a refund but also an apology. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor suggested shifting matches to smog-free Thiruvananthapuram.
The BCCI has reiterated its commitment to supporting state associations in ensuring that established policies are followed fairly. The remaining match in the series will proceed as scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on December 19. India currently leads the five-match series 2-1.
