Cricket news

India vs South Africa T20I abandoned due to fog raises questions over BCCI scheduling

Hazardous air quality and dense fog forced the India vs South Africa fourth T20I in Lucknow to be abandoned without a ball bowled, prompting debate over winter scheduling.

Published

10 months ago

December 18, 2025

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Indian cricket saw an unusual situation on Wednesday as the fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow was abandoned without a single delivery being bowled. The decision came after excessive fog and smog at the Ekana Stadium made playing conditions unsafe, once again bringing the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s scheduling choices under scrutiny.

The match officials inspected the ground multiple times, but visibility did not improve as the evening progressed. With air quality remaining in the hazardous range and a thick blanket of smog covering the stadium, the umpires eventually called off the contest.

Hazardous conditions halt play in Lucknow

The game, scheduled to begin at 7 pm, could not get underway due to poor visibility caused by dense smog. The Air Quality Index in Lucknow stayed above 400 through the day, raising concerns over player safety. Even after at least six inspections, umpires found conditions unsuitable for play.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a surgical mask during the team’s warm-up, underlining the severity of pollution at the venue. Players eventually abandoned their practice session by around 7:30 pm, while spectators also began leaving the stadium as the delay stretched on. The match was officially abandoned at about 9:30 pm.

Winter scheduling under the scanner

The abandonment has renewed criticism of hosting international matches in northern Indian cities during peak winter months. The India–South Africa series was scheduled across venues such as New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, Ranchi and Raipur in November and December, a period often marked by high pollution levels and fog in several of these regions.

This was not the first instance of challenging conditions during the series. The third T20I in Dharamsala was played in sub-10-degree temperatures, while air quality during earlier matches in New Chandigarh and Dharamsala ranged from poor to severe.

India spinner Varun Chakravarthy, after playing in Dharamsala, admitted that the cold conditions were difficult to cope with, especially for someone not accustomed to such weather.

No reserve day, series moves on

With no reserve day kept for the Lucknow T20I, both teams will now travel to Ahmedabad for the final match of the series on Friday. India currently lead the five-match T20I series 2-1.

During one of the inspections in Lucknow, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla was seen interacting with match officials. His visible disappointment reflected the broader concern around the situation, though no immediate solution was available.

Could the disruption have been avoided?

The situation has sparked debate on whether the board could have planned better by considering historical weather and pollution data. An alternative could have been to allocate northern venues to a different window or swap venues with another international series scheduled later in the season.

Another option discussed is the possibility of afternoon starts during winter to reduce the impact of fog and smog, ensuring at least some play for fans who purchase tickets.

As extreme weather and pollution increasingly affect sporting events, the abandoned T20I in Lucknow serves as a reminder that scheduling decisions need to balance rotational policies with player welfare and local environmental conditions.

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India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to play T20Is in 13 countries

Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries after featuring against Sri Lanka in Japan.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his international career on Thursday after taking the field for India against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinal in Japan.

Bumrah’s appearance at Nishin made him the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries, according to the report. He moved ahead of former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have each played T20Is in 12 countries.

Bumrah’s 13-country T20I record

Before playing in Japan, Bumrah had represented India in T20Is in 12 other countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

His appearance in Japan took the tally to 13. Kohli, Rohit and Bhuvneshwar had played in all of those countries except Japan, leaving Bumrah alone at the top of the list.

Kohli and Rohit cannot add to their totals as both have retired from T20I cricket, according to the source.

Bumrah shines against Sri Lanka

Bumrah also made an immediate impact in his first T20I appearance in Japan. He claimed two wickets in his opening over against Sri Lanka and finished with figures of 2/7 in two overs.

India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs and won the semifinal by 124 runs to book a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final.

The result set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal clash, scheduled for October 3.

Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries. His appearance against Sri Lanka in Japan took him past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have played T20Is in 12 countries each.

Cricket news

India beat West Indies by 8 wickets, Gill hits record 223

Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 223 and Rohit Sharma’s 101 helped India chase 406 against West Indies and win the second ODI by eight wickets in Guwahati.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 1, 2026

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India produced a remarkable batting performance to defeat West Indies by eight wickets in the second ODI in Guwahati, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

West Indies posted 405 for 7 in their 50 overs after centuries from John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo. India then produced an emphatic response, reaching 406 for 2 in just 43.3 overs.

Shubman Gill led the chase with an unbeaten 223, while Rohit Sharma provided strong support with a century.

Gill’s record-breaking double century

Gill remained unbeaten on 223 from 133 balls and completed his double century in 117 deliveries.

His innings made him the first batter to score an ODI double century in 117 balls, according to the report. His unbeaten 223 was also recorded as the highest ODI score by an Indian captain and the highest score by an Indian in an ODI chase.

Gill’s innings contained a combination of boundaries and sustained attacking batting as India comfortably reached the target set by West Indies.

Rohit Sharma scores 101

Rohit Sharma also produced a century during India’s chase, scoring 101 from 75 balls.

The innings also saw Rohit reach the milestone of 12,000 ODI runs. He became the third Indian batter to reach the landmark after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli contributed 29 runs before being dismissed during the chase.

West Indies post 405

Earlier, West Indies put up a huge total of 405 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs.

John Campbell scored 101, while Shai Hope made 104. Amir Jangoo also struck a century, scoring 114.

Despite the three centuries, West Indies could not defend the total as India’s top order produced a dominant chase.

India take 2-0 series lead

India completed the chase in 43.3 overs, finishing on 406 for 2 and securing an eight-wicket victory.

The result gives India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, with the second match producing a record-breaking individual performance from captain Shubman Gill.