PTC News Desk: A dense blanket of smog enveloped parts of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday, with three air quality monitoring stations in the city recording AQI levels above 200. The poor conditions ultimately forced the cancellation of the India–South Africa cricket match at the Ekana Stadium, where not a single ball was bowled. 

Dense fog coupled with dangerously poor air quality prompted the umpires to rule the conditions unfit for play. Those associated with the match anticipated the outcome, as visibility was unlikely to improve with nightfall and was expected to worsen instead.

The match was scheduled to begin at 7 pm, with the toss at 6:30 pm, but proceedings were delayed as umpires planned visibility checks 20 minutes after the toss time. The uncertainty dragged on, with nearly six inspections carried out before officials finally abandoned the game at 9:30 pm.

As delays mounted, fans took to social media to criticise the BCCI, sharing images of smog-choked Lucknow where AQI levels remained in the hazardous range above 400. 

The situation intensified concerns about the board’s commitment to player safety. India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a surgical mask during the team’s initial warm-up to cope with the pollution. After a second delay, players discontinued their warm-ups and returned to the dressing rooms. By around 9 pm, even the large crowd that had endured the cold conditions began to disperse.