India vs South Africa fourth T20I abandoned as the inevitable event of Wednesday night in Lucknow as dense fog and unsafe air quality were observed which caused consequences of the play being cancelled after several inspections were conducted. The series passed the first match without even a single ball being bowled, and visibility never reaching any acceptable level, so millions of people settled down watching the series in Ahmedabad, where India was leading 2-1.

The concerns in the beginning were about the situation in the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium. Although the readings of air quality indices were horrifying at early-to-mid 400s readings which is classified as hazardous, the match officials had a bigger problem with visibility and not pollution conditions. The dense fog had already settled on the ground hours before the game was due to begin and umpires had to make frequent early inspections in the failing light. When the umpires were inspecting, one of them was standing close to the square boundary and another tried to see the white ball through the pitch which is a simple test, yet decisive, but they failed each time.

To start with, referees postponed the throw when no improvement was realized in the fog. Players of both teams waited in their dressing rooms with ground staff on standby hoping that improvement would be made late. Nonetheless, both inspections verified the same fact: the ball was hardly visible near more than several meters of the field, which was the definite threat to a fielder, batters or referees. Six independent checks on the match eventually led to abandoned sets of matches at 9.26pm local time which ended a frustrating evening on the part of players and spectators alike.

But, the result of the abandoned T20I between India and South Africa still carries the major implications to the series. The 2-1 advantage that India had in the no-resulted match will still be counted, so the hosts will bring their winning streak in bilateral T20I to 15 in whatever might be the result of the final match. Friday T20I that was to be played in Ahmedabad will be the decider of the series but it will now create a lot of trouble in terms of results to the tour that has already provided the results in contrasting ways in other formats.

The issue of cricket being played in north India during winter season is not new and this most recent bit of desertion triggered the debate. This has been online due to fog, inappropriate air quality and diminishing light conditions that have consistently interfered with fixtures within the area. To address such concerns, the Board of Control of Cricket in India has already been willing to change schedules, most famously (the cancellation of a Test match in Delhi towards the end of the season due to the pollution levels surging immediately after Diwali). Things were quite grave in Lucknow but umpires insisted that visibility was the only basis on which it was decided and this aspect serves to enforce the point that player safety is paramount.

Friday marks the end of the tour of India, and the tour has been characterised by a sharp fluctuation of formats. The visitors had a remarkable success with the red-ball cricket series and swept the Test series with 2 to none and overwhelming performances. They also tested India during the ODI leg decelerating that a series decider before the hosts were 2-1 winners. India, however, have come more like their own in the T20Is, with two easy victories that have allowed them to take the advantage and weather to play its role in Lucknow.

In the meantime, the fourth T20I between India and South Africa ended in an abandoned result and deprived India of the opportunity to take the series early and they seemed well set to do it with the way they were going. Wash out also implied lost chances of fringe players to shine and combinations of teams to be tested before they were expected to commit to international engagements in the near future.

Lastly, India got a boost when Jasprit Bumrah returned to the team in Lucknow at the last moment after he had missed one match citing personal reasons. His appearance will be a big boost before the concluding T20I especially since the finale will be contested in Ahmedabad, where Bumrah grew up. The conditions are thought to be clearer and the stakes being greater, the two teams will be keen on bringing the series to a close decisively unlike the frustration that characterized the Lucknow game.

The lost game is another instance of winter as the tour is coming to its last leg reminding the viewer of the difficulties the winter scheduling can cause in northern India. That being said, now we move to Ahmedabad, and cricket, and not circumstances, will play the series.

Follow us on Zeroto30s social channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeroto30s/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zeroto30s

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeroto30s

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Zeroto30s