The fourth T20 International between India and South Africa was abandoned without a ball bowled due to excessive fog and poor visibility at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on December 17, 2025. Umpires conducted multiple inspections over three hours, with the final one at 9:25 PM IST confirming unsafe conditions for play. Dense smog, combined with an AQI exceeding 400 in hazardous levels, enveloped the ground, making it impossible to spot the white ball from boundary edges. Thousands of spectators who had gathered for the 7:00 PM toss and 7:30 PM start left disappointed, with many voicing frustration over the wasted evening. India maintains a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, extending their unbeaten streak in bilateral T20I series to 15. The decider shifts to Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on December 19.

Fans expressed heartbreak and anger, highlighting personal sacrifices to attend the match. One supporter told reporters he had sold three sacks of wheat to afford tickets and demanded a refund, stating, "I want my money back." Others lamented missed opportunities to see the Indian team, with comments like "It would have been better if the match was scheduled earlier" or simply "I am heartbroken." Many had travelled from nearby areas, enduring the wait only to return home without action. Social media amplified the outrage, with calls for refunds and criticism of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for scheduling winter games in pollution-prone northern venues.

Under BCCI policy, spectators are eligible for full refunds of the ticket face value (minus any administrative fees) when a match is abandoned before a single ball is bowled. The official ticketing partner confirmed eligibility for this incident, with reimbursements processed automatically through original payment methods within days. This provision offered some relief, though many fans emphasised that money could not compensate for the lost experience.

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The abandonment reignited debates over BCCI's winter scheduling in North India, where fog and smog frequently disrupt play. Critics, including politicians, questioned venue choices when southern or western cities could avoid such issues. No reserve day was allocated, leaving the series outcome to the finale.

Ahead of the match, India made squad adjustments with all-rounder Axar Patel ruled out due to illness—replaced by Shahbaz Ahmed—and vice-captain Shubman Gill sidelined by a toe injury sustained in training. South Africa aimed to level the series but now faces a must-win in Ahmedabad.

This rare fog-induced washout underscored environmental challenges impacting Indian cricket, particularly in December venues like Lucknow. While refunds address financial loss, the episode highlighted calls for better planning to minimise weather risks. The series concludes under clearer anticipated conditions in Gujarat, where both teams seek a decisive result.

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