4th T20I between India and South Africa The Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow was abandoned without a single ball being bowled on Wednesday night as playing conditions became unsafe due to dense fog and mist. The late decision caused widespread disappointment among fans, many of whom packed the stadium in anticipation of an exciting encounter.
The match was scheduled to start at 7 pm IST, but the toss could not take place due to deteriorating visibility throughout the evening. Despite several delays and inspections, the situation did not improve, forcing officials to call off the game.
Umpires inspect several times before canceling a match
As the fog thickened on the field, the umpires conducted six separate observations in an attempt to save the contest. The ground staff and match officials waited in the hope that conditions would clear for at least a brief game.
However, even after a delay of more than two hours, visibility remained well below safe standards for players and officials. At around 9:25 pm the decision was finally taken to cancel the match completely.
With no result possible, the series score remains 2–1 in India’s favour, setting up a decisive fifth T20I in Ahmedabad.
Fans expressed anger outside Ekana Stadium
Chants of “refund, refund” echo after abandonment
The abandonment sparked anger outside the stadium, where unhappy supporters gathered with their tickets and demanded a full refund. Many fans accused the organizers of poor planning and questioned why the evening event was scheduled in North India during extreme winter, when fog is a regular occurrence.
Television cameras captured the emotional exchange as the crowd chanted slogans “Return, return”Expressing both financial and emotional distress. Many fans said they traveled long distances and spent a lot to attend, expecting it to be a memorable match.
“I sold three bags of wheat to watch the match”
One supporter’s comment quickly went viral on social media, outlining the human cost behind the cancellation. “I sold three bags of wheat and came here to watch the match. I want my money back.” The fan said, it shows the sacrifices made by some spectators to watch India play live.
#Watch Lucknow, UP: Cricket fans have expressed disappointment as the India vs South Africa 4th T20 match got abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to fog.
A fan says, “I sold three bags of wheat and came here to watch the match. I want my money back…” pic.twitter.com/tMXf7Xo02Y
– ANI (@ANI) 17 December 2025
The comment caused a stir throughout the cricket community, sparking debate about accessibility, ticket pricing and the responsibilities of organizers towards fans from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.
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BCCI’s refund policy and fans’ expectations
Under BCCI’s standard policy, ticket refunds are allowed when a match is canceled without being played. While this provides some relief, many fans argued that reimbursement alone does not compensate for the time, travel costs and lost daily wages.
Supporters also called for better scheduling and venue selection and urged the board to avoid night matches in foggy areas during the winter months.
🚨Serious concern over BCCI scheduling
The cancellation of the fourth T20 match between India and South Africa due to dense fog at the Ekana Stadium raises serious questions on the scheduling decisions of the BCCI. During this period, matches were hosted in northern cities like Lucknow, New Chandigarh and Dharamshala. pic.twitter.com/bPzD3N06n4
– Ishani Verma (@eshaniverma809) 17 December 2025
According to fans, ignoring such planning undermines trust and spoils the overall match day experience.
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