Highlights:
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Toss delayed four times due to dense fog at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium
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Former India player Robin Uthappa criticized repeated pitch inspections by umpires
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India vice-captain Shubman Gill ruled out; Sanju Samson expected to replace him
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Hardik Pandya seen warming up with a face mask; Jasprit Bumrah likely to play
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India leads the five-match T20I series 2-1, can clinch series with a win
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Abhishek Sharma nearing record for most T20I runs by an Indian in a calendar year
The fourth T20 International (T20I) between India and South Africa at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow faced significant delays due to heavy fog, causing uncertainty among players, officials, and fans. The toss, originally planned for earlier in the day, was postponed four times as umpires repeatedly assessed visibility and pitch conditions. The latest inspection was scheduled for 8:30 pm IST, but the fog showed no signs of clearing, raising doubts about the match proceeding as planned.
T20I Toss Delays and Weather Impact at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium
The dense fog enveloping Lucknow has created an unusual situation in this India vs South Africa T20I, disrupting the usual pre-match routines. The toss delay led to frustration among stakeholders. Former India batsman Robin Uthappa expressed strong criticism of the repeated pitch inspections by umpires, calling the decisions “befuddling” and suggesting that the weather was unlikely to improve.
During warm-ups, India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a face mask, a rare sight that underscored the severity of the fog conditions. The mask quickly became a topic of conversation on social media, highlighting the challenges players faced even before the game could begin.
Team Updates and Player Availability Ahead of the T20I
India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill was ruled out of the series due to a foot injury. Sanju Samson is expected to replace him in the batting order. Despite this setback, India holds a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series and can secure the series victory with a win in this match.
Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the previous game for personal reasons, was seen warming up and interacting with head coach Gautam Gambhir, indicating his return to the playing XI. The presence of key pacers like Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana will be critical if the match takes place.
Milestones and Match Context in the India vs South Africa T20I Series
Individual player milestones are also drawing attention amid the fog-induced delays. Opener Abhishek Sharma is just 47 runs short of surpassing Virat Kohli’s record for the most T20I runs by an Indian in a single calendar year. Meanwhile, India captain Suryakumar Yadav is approaching 9,000 career T20 runs, despite experiencing a dip in recent form.
South Africa, having faced batting collapses in earlier matches, are eager to recover and keep the series alive. Their performance in this match could be crucial in changing the series momentum.
Fan Frustration and Match Outlook Amid Fog Challenges
The crowd at Ekana Stadium turned out in large numbers, anticipating a series-deciding game. However, the persistent fog led to widespread disappointment among the spectators. While the umpires have not yet officially called off the match, any play that occurs will likely be shortened, with overs possibly reduced to 10-12 per side.
As the match remains uncertain, all parties involved — players, officials, and fans — await a break in the fog that has hampered the proceedings and sparked debate over the repeated toss inspections in the India vs South Africa T20I.
