The fourth T20 match between India and South Africa in Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow was called off on Wednesday without a single ball being bowled with the thick air filled with fog making the playing conditions unsafe.
There were various field checks that were conducted by the match officials at set intervals of 30 minutes, where visibility and the conditions of the ground were tested. Nevertheless, the dense fog could not clear off during the evening, and the eventual result was that the contest was cancelled by the umpires. The toss could not take place either as the safety of the players was the major issue as the visibility in the entire stadium was poor.
To make the matter worse, the city has an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI), which remained at 400s most of the day. These concentrations are classified as severe and are dangerous to the health of people, particularly athletes who are involved in vigorous physical exercises. The risky nature of the air conditions also supported the move to cancel the match.
India will now be leading the no result by a 2-1 margin in the fifth and final T20 I of the series. The game will be decided on December 19 in Ahmedabad, when South Africa will seek to draw the series and a resultant draw.
The winning of the first T20I by India by a massive 101-run margin was a commanding start to India. In the second match, South Africa gave a vehement reply scoring a killer 213/4 and the bowling out of India 162 in 19.1 overs. The hosts then made a comeback in the third T20I, and limited the Proteas to a mere 117 runs and it hunted the target easily, with seven wickets in hand.
Prior to the T20I series, India won the ODI series 21, whereas South Africa won the Tests leg by a clean 2-0. The last T20I now has a new connotation to both parties since they seek to send the tour well.
