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

India vs South Africa highlights, 4th T20I: 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.