India vs South Africa highlights, 4th T20I: Fog plays spoilsport as match is called off in Lucknow

The fourth T20 International between India and South Africa was abandoned without a ball being bowled on Wednesday as dense fog and smog rendered playing conditions unsafe at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

A thick blanket of smog engulfed the ground well ahead of the scheduled start, forcing the toss to be delayed. With visibility remaining consistently poor, the on-field umpires conducted a series of inspections through the evening before eventually calling off the match.

The first inspection took place at 6:50pm, but with the fog refusing to lift, no decision could be reached. Conditions showed no improvement during the subsequent assessment at 7:30pm, prompting the umpires to delay proceedings further. South Africa’s players, who had been warming up on the outfield earlier, were asked to return to the dressing room as visibility continued to worsen.

Another inspection followed at 8:00pm, during which the umpires carried out visibility tests from the middle. One of the officials stood near the pitch while his colleague moved towards the boundary to assess whether the ball and players could be seen clearly. With the pitch covered by a large cloth rug, the umpires scheduled yet another review for 8:30pm.

Hopes of a game dimmed further after the fourth inspection, as the fog thickened under the floodlights. Spectators waited patiently in the stands as the umpires checked visibility from the batter’s crease, particularly focusing on the sight of the floodlights. No positive outcome emerged, and the inspection was pushed to 9:00pm.

The final inspection, held at 9:25pm, proved decisive. Senior BCCI official Rajiv Shukla was seen in discussion with the umpires before the inevitable call was made to abandon the contest, with visibility showing no signs of improving.

With the match washed out, India continue to lead the five-match series 2-1. The abandonment means South Africa now have only one opportunity to level the series.

The fifth and final T20I will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where both teams will hope for clearer skies and a fitting conclusion to the series.

The fourth T20 International between India and South Africa was called off without a ball being bowled on Wednesday due to poor visibility caused by dense layer of smog at the Ekana Stadium.

The toss was delayed as a blanket of smog enveloped the ground, and following multiple inspections, the umpires eventually abandoned the match.

India lead the five-match series 2-1.

Fans waited in hope as the umpires walked out for another inspection, checking the floodlights from the batter’s crease.

Soon after, the inevitable decision was taken and the match was called off.

With visibility never likely to improve, the teams now head to Ahmedabad, where South Africa have only one chance left to level the series.

The match in Lucknow has been called off.

Inspection No. 5 is just minutes away as dense fog continues to blanket the ground.

The pitch remains fully under covers, with a large cloth rug laid out to protect the surface.

Visibility is poor, and officials are closely monitoring conditions ahead of the next inspection amid growing uncertainty over play.

Heavy fog continued to disrupt proceedings in Lucknow, forcing another delay in the start of play.

Match officials pushed the next inspection to 9:25 pm as visibility remained poor at the venue.

With fog refusing to lift, both teams remained in their dressing rooms, and uncertainty loomed over whether any play would be possible.

The umpires are making their way to the middle for yet another inspection. They are currently standing near the main pitch, which remains under covers, and appear to be engaged in discussions as they assess the conditions before taking a call on play.

The waiting game continues

Another inspection scheduled at 9:00 PM

Another inspection is underway at the stadium as the umpires assess playing conditions.

Rajiv Shukla is present on the field and is seen discussing matters with the officials.

Teams continue to wait in the dressing rooms as the situation remains uncertain, with the start of play dependent on the outcome of this latest inspection.

Fog continues to cause delays at the stadium, with conditions worsening as the evening progresses.

The next inspection has been scheduled for 8:30 pm, as officials closely monitor the fog.

The umpires are on the field conducting another inspection to assess visibility and playing conditions. Both India and South Africa players remain in their dressing rooms, waiting for an update.

With visibility still poor, the start of play remains uncertain, leaving fans and teams in suspense.

The inspection is currently underway as fog conditions worsen at the stadium.

The umpires are on the field, while players from both India and South Africa have returned to their dressing rooms.

We are just a few minutes away from another inspection as the fog continues to worsen at the stadium.

Former pacer Dale Steyn, speaking on air, warned that if the match doesn’t get underway soon, completing a game could become difficult.

Meanwhile, players from both India and South Africa have returned to their dressing rooms, awaiting the umpires’ assessment and a decision on whether play can proceed.

Delay, delay, and more delay—the waiting game continues at the stadium due to heavy fog.

The umpires are currently out in the middle conducting a visibility inspection. One umpire is standing near the pitch while his colleague moves toward the boundary to check if they can clearly see each other and the ball.

Another inspection has been scheduled for 8:00 pm as officials continue to assess whether conditions are suitable for play.

Inspection is underway.

The umpires are walking to the middle. They are having a chat.

We will have an update in few moments.

Conditions haven’t improved at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. Umpires will conduct another inspection at 7:30 pm.

All South Africa players, who were earlier seen practicing on the outfield, have returned to the dressing room as fog continues to limit visibility, keeping the start of play uncertain.

The toss for the fourth T20I between India and South Africa was delayed due to dense fog at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for very dense fog across 13 districts in eastern and central Uttar Pradesh, along with a yellow alert for dense fog in 27 districts stretching from the eastern to western regions of the state.

Visibility at the stadium has been severely affected, with spectators struggling to see the stands at the opposite end. With fog expected to thicken as the evening progresses, concerns have emerged over whether the match will be able to take place.

Notably, this is the first time Lucknow is hosting a T20I in December.

Former India batter Robin Uthappa, speaking on the live broadcast, cautioned that delaying play might be counterproductive as fog is likely to worsen later in the evening.

On the team front, Jasprit Bumrah participated in the warm-up session after missing the third T20I in Dharamsala due to personal reasons.

However, India vice-captain Shubman Gill is reportedly ruled out with a foot injury, with Sanju Samson expected to slot into the playing XI.

India lead the five-match series 2-1 and will be keen to seal the series in Lucknow, provided conditions allow the match to go ahead.

India: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, NT Tilak Verma, Shahbaz Ahmed, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Ottniel Baartman, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde.

Match officials will conduct the next inspection at 7:30 pm as teams and spectators await further updates.

The earlier inspection was delayed due to fog, which has affected visibility at the venue.

Shubman Gill has been ruled out of today’s game after sustaining a foot injury, dealing a blow to India’s plans.

The toss has been delayed due to persistent fog at the venue, with officials conducting a ground inspection.

A final call on when the toss will take place is expected once visibility improves, as both teams wait for further updates from match officials.

The toss has been delayed, inspection will take place at 6:50pm

There is a thick fog around.

India vice-captain Shubman Gill is likely to miss the fourth T20I against South Africa due to a toe injury.

Gill picked up the injury during a training session.

Sanju Samson is likely to open the innings in Gill’s absence.

Updated time:

Toss is likely to take place at 6:50 AM IST

Toss delayed due to fog

Toss is expected to take place at 6:50 pm IST

Shubman Gill likely to be out of India Playing XI today; he injured his toe yesterday.

Official call likely at toss.

Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar highlighted Hardik Pandya’s impact with bat and ball, stating that the Men in Blue have benefited massively because of the all-rounder’s abilities.

Pandya returned to competitive cricket earlier this month after missing out for over two months due to the injury he sustained during the Asia Cup semi-final in September. He made an immediate impact in the game for the Men in Blue and played a crucial role in the team’s successful outings against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series.

Speaking to JioStar, Bangar lavished praise on Pandya, emphasising the Baroda cricketer’s unique batting mechanics and his value as a bowling option in T20 cricket, as he said, “Going deep inside the crease is Hardik Pandya’s speciality.

Even when he goes that deep, his weight remains on the front foot, which is a very good thing. As a batter, we always encourage waiting for the ball. He plays with a very wide base, which allows him to generate a lot of power.”

“He can play front-foot shots, back-foot shots, baseball-style hits, full shots and the upper cut. He opens up both sides of the ground, which is a special ability. He bowls at around 132–133 kmph with a fuller length, where close to 54 per cent of his deliveries are pitched up, and he gets wickets from there. He allows the ball to swing, and when required, he goes for the yorker as well. The Indian team has benefited immensely from his ability,” he added.

Bangar highlighted Abhishek Sharma's fearless approach, underscoring the technical elements that enable the young batter to dominate bowlers. Opining on his attacking mindset, Bangar stated, “First of all, it’s his attacking mindset. If there’s a delivery outside the off stump, he hits it very hard. One very important aspect of his batting is his high backlift. He holds the bat above the handle, which gives him excellent reach. Because of the swing he generates, he can hit big sixes, especially over the covers. Hitting sixes over the covers is a special ability. He doesn’t try to hit from below, which gives him an incredible range.”

Turning his attention to Shubman Gill, Bangar acknowledged the Indian opener’s form while pointing out specific areas that need refinement, particularly against straight deliveries.

“In the beginning, his footwork was very positive. But if you remove three or four boundaries over 28 games, the issue has been on straighter lines. Against straight deliveries, his strike rate has fallen quite low. Outside the off stump, his strike rate is good, but there have been a few edges as well.

Overall, he has scored runs, but straight-line play is something he will want to improve. In the second game, the ball that got him out was a very good delivery—it could have dismissed any batter. His footwork has improved, and if he continues to play with clear footwork, he will be able to hit the same shots consistently, like the three or four boundaries we’ve seen,” he noted.

While India have enjoyed the upper hand in the series so far, Bangar cautioned against underestimating South Africa, particularly with the conditions on offer in Lucknow, saying, “The way this series has gone, South Africa has fought well in every format. On the Lucknow pitch, there is bounce and seam, and South Africa’s fast bowlers will look to make early inroads. India will need to be prepared for that challenge.”

With India holding a 2–1 advantage in the five-match T20I series against South Africa, the spotlight now turns to Lucknow for the fourth game, as the two sides gear up to face off at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

India currently lead the five-match series 2-1.

Fortunes have swung wildly so far in the series. While India dominated and the South Africans looked completely out of sorts in the lung-opener, the roles were reversed in the next match.

South Africa have been comprehensively beaten twice so far and would be eager to win on Wednesday to keep the series alive.

Since the T20 World Cup final last June, the Proteas have lost 18 of the 28 matches in the shortest format, highlighting a prolonged phase of inconsistency.

Still searching for a settled combination, the South African team management continues to ring in changes.

The constant chopping and changing has contributed to a lack of rhythm in the players and has ultimately cost them many games.

The last edition's runners-up side has five matches remaining -- two against India and three at home against the West Indies -- to finalise the playing XI before its T20 World Cup opener on February 9.

Whether the Proteas persist with rotation at the expense of results remains to be seen.

Shubman Gill's struggle against straight deliveries is an area of concern, former national batting coach Sanjay Bangar said on Wednesday. The opener has scored just 32 runs in three games in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. However, what worries Bangar more than the total runs is Gill’s strike rate, which dips noticeably against deliveries pitched on a straight line.


Speaking on Game Plan on JioStar, Bangar explained that while Gill appears comfortable playing balls outside the off-stump, his performance against straight deliveries has been less convincing.

"In the beginning, his footwork was very positive. But if you remove three or four boundaries over 28 games, the issue has been on straighter lines. Against straight deliveries, his strike rate has fallen quite low," Bangar said, urging the young opener to improve his footwork to counter this weakness.

"Outside the off stump, his strike rate is good, but there have been a few edges as well. Overall, he has scored runs, but straight-line play is something he will want to improve. In the second (T20) game (against South Africa), the ball that got him out was a very good delivery. It could have dismissed any batter. His footwork has improved, and if he continues to play with clear footwork, he will be able to hit the same shots consistently, like the three or four boundaries we've seen."

Abhishek's aggressive mindset lauded

Bangar also praised young opener Abhishek Sharma for his attacking approach, particularly his ability to clear the infield with big sixes over the covers. The former batting coach noted that Abhishek's high backlift and powerful swing give him excellent reach, enabling him to hit the ball cleanly.

"His attacking mindset is a key factor. He has the ability to strike the ball cleanly, especially over the covers, which is a special skill," Bangar added.

Hardik Pandya's dual impact

Bangar highlighted Hardik Pandya's all-round contributions, emphasising the all-rounder’s capacity to dominate both with bat and ball. With the bat, Pandya’s wide base and deep stance allow him to generate power on all sides. With the ball, his fuller deliveries at around 132-133 kmph, along with his swing and yorkers, make him a crucial asset for India.

"Pandya’s versatility provides India with a great balance," said Bangar.

Indian mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has further consolidated his position at the top of the ICC Men’s T20I Bowler Rankings, surging to a new career-high rating. According to the ICC website, the right-arm leg-spinner touched a personal best of 818 points after registering his third consecutive two-wicket haul in the ongoing five-match home T20I series against South Africa.

Chakravarthy has taken six wickets in the first three matches of the series, with his outstanding spell of 2/11 in four overs during the third T20I at Dharamsala playing a pivotal role in India’s comprehensive seven-wicket victory.

With 818 rating points, the 34-year-old now holds a massive 119-point advantage over second-placed New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy, who is on 699 points. Chakravarthy’s latest rise has also propelled him into the all-time top 10 for the highest T20I bowling ratings.

The development comes as a timely boost for India, with less than two months remaining before they begin the defence of their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title, which they lifted in the West Indies last year. Chakravarthy is expected to play a crucial role as India chase back-to-back titles in the shortest format.

India received further encouragement in the bowling rankings, with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh climbing four places to 16th following his Player of the Match performance against South Africa in the third game of the series. South Africa also saw multiple gains, as Marco Jansen jumped 14 spots to 25th, Lungi Ngidi moved up 11 places to 44th, and Ottneil Baartman made a significant leap from outside the top 100 to 68th.

In the batting rankings, India now boast two players inside the top five of the ICC T20I charts. Tilak Varma climbed two places to fourth after producing three consistent innings against South Africa.

Abhishek Sharma continues to enjoy a healthy lead at the summit of the batting rankings, while South Africa’s Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock also made notable progress. Markram moved up eight places to 29th, and de Kock surged 14 spots to 43rd following a series of encouraging performances.

Ahead of the fourth T20I against India, South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje said he is focused on improving with each passing day. The fourth match of the five-game series will be played in Lucknow on December 17.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Nortje said: “It's nice to be back, I really missed it and really enjoying my time here. I'm sort of happy with the progress. There's still a lot of cricket to play. For me, it's just to try and focus game by game, day by day, and just try and get better every day, but I've really been enjoying the time back and it's been great to be with the team.”

Expressing his satisfaction with the team environment, Nortje added, “I'm happy to be here. The team's been doing unbelievably well the last year or two. There are some fresh faces, there are some old faces and guys who have been sort of on the fringes for a while are getting to play more cricket more consistently. Coming in and seeing how basic they keep things, trying to be as basic as possible, let the moment play out, assess on the park what to do. Guys are jamming really well, getting along very well, and everyone knows their role in the team. And I think that's very important.”

When asked about the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka and his chances of being part of the South Africa squad, the speedster said, “Hopefully I can be in the squad, but if not, for me it's just to try and focus game by game, day by day, and just try and get better.”

During the press conference, Nortje was also informed that he could be spending more time at the Ekana Stadium after being picked by Lucknow Super Giants at the IPL 2026 auction for his base price of ?2 crore.

“This is news to me. I'll see you guys soon then. I'm very happy,” Nortje said.

India:

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, NT Tilak Verma, Shahbaz Ahmed, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar.

South Africa:

Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Lutho Sipamla, Ottniel Baartman, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde.

India currently lead the series 2-1, with momentum swinging sharply from game to game.

South Africa dominated the opening match as India struggled, but the roles reversed in the second encounter. The Proteas have since suffered two comprehensive defeats and will be keen to win on Wednesday to keep the series alive.

Since the T20 World Cup final last June, South Africa have lost 18 of their 28 T20Is, reflecting a prolonged phase of inconsistency.

Still searching for a settled combination, the team management has continued to rotate players, a strategy that has disrupted rhythm and cost results.

Last edition’s runners-up have five matches remaining — two against India and three at home against the West Indies — to finalise their playing XI ahead of their T20 World Cup opener on February 9.

Whether they persist with rotation at the expense of results remains to be seen.

Gill’s struggles have been just as pronounced, if not more. His move to the opening slot appears to have unsettled India’s top order. He replaced a settled Sanju Samson, who was first pushed down the order and eventually dropped despite forming a promising partnership with Abhishek Sharma earlier in the series.

While Gill has excelled in Tests and ODIs, his T20I returns are yet to reflect the same assurance.

Although he survived during Sunday’s low-target chase, his scratchy run-a-ball 28 did little to allay concerns with seven matches remaining before the World Cup.

India have added Shahbaz Ahmed to the squad after Axar Patel was ruled out of the series due to illness, a move that could allow Kuldeep Yadav an extended run.

Jasprit Bumrah’s availability remains uncertain after missing the previous game for personal reasons. In his absence, Arshdeep Singh returned to form with a player-of-the-match performance, well supported by Harshit Rana in Dharamsala.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of fourth T20I match between India and South Africa.

Shubman Gill’s lean run has been a major talking point, but an equally “out of runs” captain Suryakumar Yadav is also under growing scrutiny as India look to strike the right balance and clinch the five-match series against South Africa in the fourth T20I here on Wednesday.

The third match presented an ideal chance for Suryakumar to regain his rhythm during India’s chase of a modest 118-run target. However, the fluency that once propelled him to the top of the world rankings was conspicuously absent. The shots that defined his dominance have yielded inconsistent outcomes of late, and the Dharamsala encounter followed a similar script as he fell attempting his trademark pick-up shot, underlining his ongoing struggles.

Despite the setback, Suryakumar remained resolute in his self-assessment.

“The thing is, I’ve been batting beautifully in the nets. I’m trying everything that’s in my control. When the runs have to come, they’ll definitely come. I’m not out of form, but definitely out of runs,” he said at the post-match presentation after India’s win on Sunday.

The statistics, however, paint a concerning picture. The Indian skipper has been searching for rhythm for more than a year and is averaging under 15 in the format this season. He is yet to register a half-century in 2025, marking the longest such phase of his career, and has crossed the 20-ball mark only twice during this period.

With the T20 World Cup less than two months away, the defending champions would hope their leader and premier batter rediscovers his touch sooner rather than later.