The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned due to excessive fog in Lucknow on Wednesday without a single ball being bowled as thick fog severely reduced the visibility. Six inspections were carried out but the situation never improved ultimately the match was called off. After this, Shashi Tharoor strongly reacted and mentioned about the poor AQI in Lucknow, he further highlighted that the match should’ve been conducted in Kerala.
Tharoor posted on X and wrote: “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!”
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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…
---Advertisement---— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 17, 2025
Before the start of the match, India was already struck by two blows as Axar Patel has been out due to some illness while Shubman Gill on the other hand suffered a toe injury. Injury concerns have been rising for India’s vice-captain as this is his second injury in two consecutive months and with the T20 World Cup approaching the batter needs to be fit. Hence, Team India will now be looking forward to focus on his complete recovery as India will be playing their first match of T20 World Cup on February 7 against USA.
