Cancellation of India-South Africa T20 Match Sparks BCCI Concerns
Match Cancellation Due to Severe Fog
The fourth T20 match between India and South Africa was abruptly canceled without a single ball being bowled, prompting serious discussions within the Indian cricket board. Officially, the match, scheduled for Wednesday evening at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, was called off due to heavy fog. However, reports indicate that the real issue was dense smog and extremely poor visibility.
Rare Occurrence in International Cricket
This incident marks only the second time in international cricket history that a match has been completely canceled due to fog. The game was set to commence at 7 PM, but conditions worsened continuously. After six inspections, umpires decided to call off the match around 9:30 PM. Prior to this, players had already limited their warm-up sessions, and a significant number of spectators began leaving the stadium.
BCCI's Response to the Situation
Rajeev Shukla, the vice-president of BCCI, expressed the seriousness of the situation, stating that the board must reconsider hosting matches in North India during winter. He acknowledged that air pollution has escalated from a mere inconvenience to an emergency that requires urgent attention.
Air Quality Concerns
Data revealed that during the match, Lucknow's air quality index soared above 400, categorizing it as 'hazardous.' Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a surgical mask during warm-ups, and images of this quickly circulated on social media, raising further questions about the board's planning.
Inspection and Future Matches
Rajeev Shukla himself was present on the field during inspections, and his demeanor reflected the gravity of the situation after discussions with officials. Since there was no reserve day for this match, both teams will now head to Ahmedabad for the decisive game, with India leading the series 2-1.
Venue Selection Under Scrutiny
The choice of venues for this tour has also come under significant criticism. South Africa's tour took place in November-December in cities like New Chandigarh, Dharamshala, and Lucknow, where cold weather, fog, and pollution are prevalent issues. Notably, the temperature during last week's T20 in Dharamshala dropped below 10 degrees, with spinner Varun Chakravarthy describing the conditions as quite challenging.
Future Implications for BCCI
Following this incident, it is widely believed that BCCI will take stringent and long-term measures regarding international matches in North India during winter, prioritizing player safety.