Lucknow: The toss for the India vs South Africa 4th T20I on Wednesday has been postponed due to severe smog conditions in Lucknow. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that excessive fog at the venue was the reason for the delay. Live footage from the stadium revealed significant visibility problems, with the floodlights also creating additional visual disruption.
An initial inspection was scheduled for 6:50 PM IST, during which umpires conducted a visibility assessment. A subsequent check took place at 7:30 PM IST. Another inspection is now planned for 8:00 PM IST. Given the persistent visibility challenges, there is a strong possibility that the match could be abandoned.
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a mask during the practice and warm-up session at the Ekana Cricket Stadium as players arrived for the game. The thick blanket of fog covering the ground was clearly visible as the Indian team went through their pre-match preparations. The poor visibility forced officials to turn on the floodlights and delay proceedings.
India will be aiming to seal the series when they step onto the field at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The Men in Blue reclaimed the series advantage following a commanding victory in Dharamsala. With two matches remaining, Suryakumar Yadav and his team will be determined to wrap up the series without allowing it to reach the final decider.
These closing matches of the year will offer India valuable opportunities to finalize their combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. The squad for the tournament is expected to be announced in the first week of January, making these encounters against South Africa India’s final chance to evaluate players and refine their strategies.
IND vs SA 4th T20I Playing XIs
India: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Harshit Rana/Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Ottneil Baartman
IND vs SA T20I Series: Live Streaming & Broadcast Details
The IND vs SA 4th T20I was scheduled to be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on December 17, 2025. The match was set to begin at 7:00 PM IST, with the toss originally planned for 6:30 PM IST. Star Sports is the official broadcaster for all India home matches. The IND vs SA T20I series is available on the Star Sports Network. Fans can stream the action online on JioHotstar.
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