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BCCI Denies Responsibility for Lucknow T20I Refunds—So Who Pays Fans Left in the Cold?

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BCCI not responsible for Lucknow T20I ticket refunds: Secretary Saikia

They showed up. They waited. They hoped. And then—nothing.

On a frigid December evening in Lucknow, thousands of cricket fans gathered at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, bundled in scarves and optimism, ready to watch India take on South Africa in a high-stakes T20I. But dense fog and near-zero visibility forced officials to abandon the match before a single ball was bowled.

Now, the real battle begins: getting their money back. In a recent statement, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that spectators will receive refunds—but dropped a bombshell: “The BCCI is not responsible for Lucknow T20I ticket refunds.” Instead, the onus falls entirely on the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) .

For fans who paid anywhere from ₹300 to ₹2,500 per ticket, this raises urgent questions: How do refunds work? When will they arrive? And why is the BCCI—India’s richest cricket board—washing its hands of the matter?

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Lucknow T20I Ticket Refunds: Who Is Actually Responsible?

According to Saikia, the BCCI’s role is limited to scheduling and sanctioning matches. The actual execution—including ticketing, stadium operations, and refunds—falls to the state cricket association hosting the game . In this case, that’s the UPCA.

“The BCCI has no direct involvement in the sale or reimbursement of tickets for this fixture,” Saikia clarified. “The UPCA, as the local organizer, will manage all refund requests in due course.”

This distinction, while technically correct, has left fans confused. After all, the match was part of an international bilateral series organized by the BCCI. Shouldn’t they bear ultimate accountability?

Why the BCCI Isn’t Paying: The Fine Print of Hosting

Under BCCI’s hosting framework:

  • State associations bid for the right to host international matches.
  • They retain 100% of ticket revenue (after BCCI’s fixed hosting fee).
  • In return, they assume all operational liabilities—including refunds for abandoned matches.

So while the BCCI earns from broadcast and sponsorship, the financial risk of weather-related cancellations sits with the host unit. This model incentivizes associations to pick favorable venues and dates—but Lucknow’s December fog is notoriously unpredictable.

As Saikia noted, “Winter conditions in North India are challenging. We’ve rescheduled domestic games to avoid such clashes, but international windows are fixed by the ICC” .

How to Claim Your Refund: A Step-by-Step Guide

While UPCA hasn’t yet published formal instructions, here’s what fans should do based on past precedents:

  1. Keep your ticket (physical or digital)—it’s your proof of purchase.
  2. Monitor UPCA’s official website (upcricket.org) and social media for refund announcements.
  3. If purchased online (via BookMyShow, Paytm, etc.), refunds are usually auto-processed within 7–10 working days.
  4. If purchased offline, you may need to submit ID proof and ticket at designated UPCA centers.
  5. Contact customer support of your ticketing platform if no action is taken within 14 days.

[INTERNAL_LINK:how-to-claim-cricket-ticket-refunds-india]

Weather vs. Planning: Could This Have Been Avoided?

Lucknow averages 12 foggy days in December, with visibility often below 200 meters . Meteorologists had flagged the risk days in advance.

Still, the match was scheduled for prime evening hours (7 PM start)—the worst possible time for fog interference. Critics argue the BCCI and UPCA prioritized broadcast slots over fan experience.

Compare this to the 2023 Ahmedabad Test, where start times were shifted to 10 AM to avoid dew. Proactive adjustments work—but only if implemented.

Fan Reactions: Anger and Frustration on Social Media

Twitter and Instagram exploded with disappointment:

“Spent ₹1,800 on tickets + ₹600 on travel. Got nothing but cold and silence.” – @CricketFanLK

“BCCI makes crores, but can’t refund a few lakhs? Shameful.” – @SportsWatcher99

Many demanded the BCCI step in “as a gesture of goodwill,” especially since no reserve day was scheduled for this T20I—a standard practice in Test cricket but often skipped in white-ball games.

Precedents in Indian Cricket: What Happened Before?

This isn’t the first time:

  • 2019, Pune T20I vs South Africa: Abandoned due to rain. UPCA processed refunds within 10 days.
  • 2022, Guwahati ODI vs Sri Lanka: Called off for wet outfield. Assam Cricket Association issued full refunds via original payment methods.

Both cases saw smooth reimbursements—but only because state units acted swiftly. The question now: will UPCA follow suit?

Conclusion: Transparency Needed in Refund Processes

The Lucknow T20I ticket refunds saga highlights a systemic gap: while the BCCI controls the calendar, fans are left dealing with decentralized, inconsistent refund policies.

Going forward, the board must mandate clear, uniform refund protocols for all international matches—especially in high-risk weather zones. Until then, loyal supporters risk paying for a game that never happens.

For now, Lucknow fans wait. Their money—and their trust—hang in the fog.

Sources

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