Cricket enthusiasts hoping to witness the fourth T20 International between India and South Africa in Lucknow were left disappointed as the match was officially called off due to excessive fog. The crucial encounter, scheduled to be held at the Ekana Stadium, could not even commence, marking a rare occasion in T20 International cricket history where dense fog has led to a match cancellation.
IND vs SA Fourth T20 Called Off Amidst Heavy Fog
The highly anticipated fourth T20I of the series was slated to begin at 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time. However, the persistent and thick fog that enveloped Lucknow made visibility extremely poor, preventing any on-field action. The toss, originally scheduled for 6:30 PM, was delayed. Umpires conducted an initial inspection at 6:50 PM, but the conditions did not improve. A subsequent inspection at 7:30 PM revealed that the fog had, in fact, intensified.
The match officials conducted further checks at 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9:00 PM. Despite multiple inspections, including a final one at 9:25 PM, the playing conditions were deemed unsafe for the players. Consequently, the decision was made to abandon the match. This unfortunate turn of events represents the first instance in T20 International cricket where a fixture has been cancelled solely due to dense fog.
The BCCI officially confirmed the cancellation via a tweet, stating, “The fourth India-South Africa T20I is called off due to excessive fog.”
India Leads the Series 2-1 After Abandoned Match
Despite the washout, the Indian team, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, maintains its 2-1 lead in the five-match T20 series against South Africa. India had a strong start, securing a commanding 101-run victory in the first T20I held in Cuttack. South Africa bounced back in the second match in Mullanpur, leveling the series with a 51-run win. However, the Indian side regained the lead by defeating the Proteas by 7 wickets in the third T20I in Dharamshala.
With the fourth match cancelled, the series will now be decided in the fifth and final T20I. This decider is scheduled to take place on December 19th at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Team India will be looking to secure the series victory on home soil in this concluding encounter.
This unexpected cancellation due to weather conditions highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport and the challenges faced by teams when playing in varying climates. Fans eagerly await the final showdown in Ahmedabad.
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