Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 17 : Excessive fog disrupted the fourth T20I between India and South Africa at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium on Wednesday, prompting Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to suggest that the match should have been held in Thiruvananthapuram, highlighting its better air quality.
In a post on X, Tharoor expressed disappointment on behalf of cricket fans who were left waiting as poor visibility caused by heavy fog prevented the start of play.
He pointed out that Lucknow's Air Quality Index had soared to 411, making conditions unsuitable for a cricket match. In contrast, he noted that Thiruvananthapuram had a much healthier AQI of around 68.
"Cricket fans have been waiting in vain for the #INDVSSAODI to start in Lucknow. But thanks to dense smog, pervasive in most north Indian cities, and an AQI of 411, visibility is too poor to permit a game of cricket. They should've scheduled the game in Thiruvananthapuram, where AQI is about 68 right now!," Tharoor wrote on X.
The fourth T20I of the five-match series between India and South Africa was abandoned due to excessive fog at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday. India are leading the T20I series 2-1, with one more match to go.
Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the toss was delayed due to excessive fog. A total of six inspections were conducted, but the umpires were not satisfied with the weather conditions and ultimately called off the game without a ball being bowled.
The fifth and final T20I between the two countries will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on December 19.
Ahead of the fourth T20I, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel was ruled out of the remaining T20I series against South Africa due to illness, the BCCI said on December 15.
In place of Axar Patel, the BCCI Men's Selection Committee named Shahbaz Ahmed as his replacement for the remaining T20I matches against South Africa.