Cricket fans tuning in for a high-stakes clash between India and South Africa were met not with boundaries or wickets—but with an all-too-familiar adversary: thick, impenetrable fog. At Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, the IND vs SA fog delay saga has struck again, forcing officials to push the pitch inspection to 9:00 PM local time and casting serious doubt over whether the 4th T20I will even get underway [[1], [2]].
Table of Contents
- Fog Strikes Again at Ekana
- Why Ekana Is Prone to Fog Delays
- Match Status and Revised Schedule
- Impact on Series and Playoff Hopes
- How Other Venues Handle Winter Fog
- What Happens If the Match Is Abandoned?
- Conclusion: A Waiting Game
- Sources
Fog Strikes Again at Ekana
This isn’t the first time fog has disrupted cricket at Ekana this winter. During the India vs England T20I series in December 2024, a similar situation led to a shortened 5-over-per-side match—drawing widespread criticism from players and fans alike . Now, with December 2025 bringing even colder temperatures and higher humidity, the problem has worsened.
By 5:30 PM—just 30 minutes before the scheduled 6:00 PM toss—visibility dropped below 40 meters. Umpires and BCCI officials conducted an initial inspection but deemed conditions “unsafe and unplayable.” A further assessment was scheduled for 9:00 PM, when temperatures may slightly rise and fog could lift [[1], [4]].
Why Ekana Is Prone to Fog Delays
Ekana Stadium, located in the Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh, sits in a geographic zone notorious for winter fog. Between December and January, cold northerly winds meet moisture from the Ganges basin, creating dense radiation fog that can linger for hours—even all night.
Unlike coastal venues like Mumbai or Chennai, Lucknow lacks sea breezes to clear the air. And unlike high-altitude grounds like Dharamsala, it has no natural wind corridors. Add to that the stadium’s open design and lack of floodlight warmth dispersion, and you get a perfect storm for visibility issues .
Experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that Lucknow is experiencing its foggiest December in five years, with visibility levels not expected to improve before midnight in many areas .
Match Status and Revised Schedule
As of the latest update:
- Original Toss Time: 6:00 PM IST
- First Inspection: 5:45 PM – postponed
- Next Inspection: 9:00 PM IST
- Minimum Overs for Result: 5 per side (as per ICC T20 playing conditions)
If the 9:00 PM inspection also fails, the match could be abandoned entirely. A reserve day has not been scheduled for this fixture—a controversial decision given Ekana’s known weather risks .
Impact on Series and Playoff Hopes
Currently, India leads the 5-match series 2–1. A no-result in the 4th T20I would mean India retains the series lead heading into the final game in Bengaluru—a scenario favorable to the hosts but frustrating for fans seeking closure .
For South Africa, a washout is a missed opportunity to level the series. More critically, both teams are using this series to test bench strength ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Every game matters for player evaluation, especially for fringe candidates like Dewald Brevis or India’s Digvesh Rathi .
How Other Venues Handle Winter Fog
Interestingly, not all Indian grounds suffer equally. Eden Gardens in Kolkata uses high-intensity halogen floodlights that generate ambient heat, helping dissipate low-lying fog. Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium has rescheduled winter matches to afternoon slots to avoid evening fog entirely .
Cricket Australia, by contrast, avoids scheduling matches in Melbourne or Perth during June–July due to frost and dew—showing proactive planning. The BCCI, however, continues to book December T20Is in North India despite repeated weather disruptions .
What Happens If the Match Is Abandoned?
According to ICC regulations:
- No result = no points awarded in bilateral series.
- The series score remains unchanged (2–1 to India).
- Individual player stats from the match won’t count.
- Teams can still proceed to the 5th T20I as scheduled.
Fans holding tickets may be eligible for refunds or credit toward the final match, subject to BCCI policy. Broadcast partners like SonyLIV have already issued viewer advisories.
Conclusion: A Waiting Game
The IND vs SA fog delay isn’t just a logistical headache—it’s a symbol of poor scheduling in high-risk venues. While players warm up indoors and fans refresh live blogs, the real question looms: should international cricket be played in Lucknow in December at all?
For now, all eyes are on the 9:00 PM inspection. If the fog lifts, we get a thriller. If not, cricket loses—not to skill, but to the weather. Stay updated with live developments on [INTERNAL_LINK:ind-vs-sa-t20i-live-score].
Sources
- Live match updates and inspection timings: ,
- Ekana Stadium weather history: ,
- IMD fog forecast for Lucknow:
- ICC playing conditions and series rules: ,
- Venue comparison and scheduling practices: