The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued its first official response following the abandonment of the fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow due to dense fog. BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla acknowledged the frustration among fans and assured that the board will review Team India’s match scheduling to avoid similar situations in the future.
#WATCH Delhi , On Lucknow India vs South Africa match cancellation, VP- BCCI Executive Board, Rajeev Shukla says,”The match had to be canceled due to fog. The people were upset about it. We will need to review the scheduling of matches between 15 December to 15 January in… pic.twitter.com/vO7LsHS4DL
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2025
BCCI considers winter fixtures in North India
Speaking to ANI, Shukla said the board would reassess the scheduling of international and domestic matches in north India between December 15 and January 15, a period often marked by poor visibility due to fog, cold waves, and rising pollution levels. He added that matches could be shifted to southern or western venues if required.
“The match had to be canceled due to fog, and people were understandably upset. We will review the scheduling of matches in north India between December 15 and January 15 to see whether they should be shifted to south or west India. Domestic matches are also being affected due to fog, and this is a serious issue,” Shukla said.
The India vs South Africa fourth T20I was abandoned after six separate inspections by the umpires, with conditions failing to improve throughout the evening. The match, scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST, was eventually called off at 9:25 PM, leaving thousands of spectators disappointed.
Former cricketers Robin Uthappa and Dale Steyn were among those who criticized the decision to host a winter evening game in Lucknow, pointing out that repeated inspections were futile given the prevailing conditions.
The review comes at a crucial time, with India set to host multiple tournaments during the December–January window. The Vijay Hazare Trophy will be followed by the ODI and T20I series against New Zealand in January 2026, making venue planning a key focus for the BCCI going forward.
Also Read: Shashi Tharoor slams Lucknow after Ind vs SA T20I washout: ‘They should’ve played it in Kerala’
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