IND vs SA T20 Cancelled / Shashi Tharoor Questions Venue Choice, Akhilesh Yadav Slams BJP Over Pollution

The fourth T20 International cricket match between India and South Africa, eagerly anticipated by fans, was regrettably cancelled in Lucknow due to pervasive dense fog and severely poor visibility, while this highly awaited fixture was scheduled to take place on Wednesday at the state-of-the-art Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The unexpected cancellation not only disappointed countless cricket enthusiasts but also ignited a political debate, with prominent figures like Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav expressing their strong reactions and raising critical questions about the choice of venue and the prevailing environmental conditions.

Shashi Tharoor's Suggestion for Thiruvananthapuram and Critique of BCCI

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor directly challenged the decision to host such a significant international match in Lucknow. In a detailed post shared on social media, he articulated his concerns, stating that cricket fans were waiting in vain for the India-South Africa match to commence in Lucknow, while tharoor highlighted the dense fog prevalent across most North Indian cities and an alarmingly high Air Quality Index (AQI) of 411, which rendered visibility so poor that organizing a cricket match was simply not feasible. An AQI of 411 falls into the 'severe' category, posing significant health risks.

He sarcastically suggested that the match should have been held in Thiruvananthapuram, where the AQI was approximately 68. This figure indicates 'satisfactory' air quality, providing a far more conducive environment for sporting events. Tharoor's remarks served as a direct critique of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) venue. Selection process, especially given the well-known issues of fog and pollution in North India during the winter months. He emphasized that better planning and consideration of environmental factors could have prevented such a disappointing outcome.

Akhilesh Yadav Attacks Government Over Pollution and Environmental Neglect

Upon learning of the match cancellation, Samajwadi Party National President and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, also expressed his strong disapproval, while in a social media post, he attributed the incident to Delhi's pollution having now spread to Lucknow. Akhilesh Yadav explicitly stated that the primary reason for the match cancellation wasn't merely ordinary fog, but rather "smog," a severe atmospheric condition resulting from industrial and vehicular pollution. He directly held the BJP government accountable for this situation, citing its alleged policy failures and mismanagement of environmental issues. Yadav accused the government of neglecting environmental concerns, which has led to a continuous deterioration of air quality in cities.

Akhilesh's Comments on Misuse of Parks and Environmental Indifference

Further extending his criticism, Akhilesh Yadav remarked that the parks and green spaces developed during his administration to ensure clean air and greenery in Lucknow were now being "ruined" by the BJP government through its "event management. " He accused the BJP of being indifferent to both human well-being and environmental preservation. In a sarcastic tone, Yadav advised Lucknow residents to "Cover your mouth, for you're in Lucknow," a poignant statement highlighting the severe and alarming state of air pollution in the city. This comment not only underscored the pollution levels but also served as a jibe at the government's perceived inefficiency. Akhilesh also shared two images with his post, which presumably depicted either the polluted air in Lucknow. Or the condition of the parks he had developed, although specific details of these images weren't provided.

Detailed Account of the Match Cancellation Event

The fourth match of the five-match T20 series between India and South Africa was scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, at the modern Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, while even before the match could begin, a thick blanket of dense fog enveloped the ground, leading to repeated delays in the toss. Match officials and umpires conducted multiple inspections of the playing area, while they attempted to assess the visibility levels and explore any possibilities of safely commencing the game.

However, the density of the fog didn't dissipate, and visibility remained so poor that ensuring player safety and the integrity of the game became impossible. Ultimately, after several hours of waiting and assessment, the umpires reluctantly announced the decision to cancel the match. This outcome caused immense disappointment to the thousands of spectators present at the stadium and the millions of fans watching on television, who had eagerly anticipated an exciting contest.

North India's Harsh Winter and Scrutiny on BCCI's Venue Selection

North India is currently experiencing a period of severe cold weather, and dense fog is a common phenomenon in the plains during morning and evening hours, while despite these challenging climatic conditions, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had opted to host three matches of the India vs. South Africa T20 series in North Indian cities such as New Chandigarh, Dharamshala, and Lucknow. While the matches in New Chandigarh and Dharamshala were successfully concluded, the Lucknow fixture. Had to be called off due to the combined effects of fog and smog. This decision by the BCCI is now facing serious scrutiny from prominent figures like Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

The incident underscores the critical need for more careful consideration of weather and environmental factors when selecting venues for major sporting events in the future, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for both players and fans. This cancelled match has not only disappointed sports enthusiasts but has also. Reignited the debate on air pollution and urban planning challenges in the country.

Cricket fans have been waiting in vain for the #INDVSSAODI to start in Lucknow. But thanks to dense smog, pervasive in most north Indian cities, and an AQI of 411, visibility is too poor to permit a game of cricket. They should’ve scheduled the game in Thiruvananthapuram, where…

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 17, 2025

दिल्ली का प्रदूषण अब लखनऊ तक पहुँच गया है। इसीलिए लखनऊ में आयोजित होनेवाला अंतरराष्ट्रीय क्रिकेट मैच नहीं हो पा रहा है। दरअसल इसकी वजह कोहरा या फ़ॉग नहीं, स्मॉग है।

हमने जो पार्क लखनऊ की शुद्ध हवा के लिए बनवाए थे, भाजपा सरकार वहाँ भी इंवेटबाजी करवाकर उन्हें बर्बाद करना चाहती… pic.twitter.com/X71TvretcV

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) December 17, 2025