Lucknow: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday commented on the fourth T20 International between India and South Africa being abandoned in Lucknow due to dense smog, suggesting the match should have been scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram instead of a north Indian city grappling with severe air pollution.
The match was called off without a ball being bowled after visibility at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium was badly affected by a thick blanket of smog on Wednesday evening.
Reacting on X, Tharoor said cricket fans had been left waiting in vain for the India–South Africa fixture to begin in Lucknow, but poor visibility caused by widespread smog made play impossible. Pointing to air quality concerns across north India, he said the game should have been held in Thiruvananthapuram, where air quality levels were significantly better.
Several north Indian cities, including New Delhi, Agra, Lucknow and Chandigarh, remained enveloped in smog through the day. While Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 334 in the “very poor” category, Lucknow registered an AQI of 171, classified as “moderate”, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.
However, pollution levels varied across the Uttar Pradesh capital. Three of the city’s six monitoring stations—Kendriya Vidyalaya, Lalbagh, and the Talkatora District Industries Centre—recorded AQI levels above 200, placing them in the “poor” category.
The Parliament is set to debate the worsening air pollution on Thursday, with Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav set to respond in the Lok Sabha at 5 pm.
MPs in both Houses raised concerns over hazardous air quality, enforcement gaps, and construction-related pollution. Yadav said the National Clean Air Programme is active in 130 cities, stressed urban local bodies’ role in enforcement, and noted stricter rules for large construction projects, including mandatory anti-smog guns.
While Congress MP Pramod Tiwari called Delhi a “poisonous gas chamber,” the minister cited fewer “severe” AQI days this year compared to last. Smog persisted on Wednesday, with Delhi recording a 24-hour AQI of 334, in the “very poor” category, ahead of Thursday’s debate on long-term solutions and accountability.
The BCCI’s Tours and Fixtures Committee’s decision to slot matches in the eastern and northern regions of the country during winters has come under the scanner.
Meanwhile, India vice-captain Shubman Gill is likely to miss the final T20 against South Africa. After suffering a toe injury during a nets session, the team is opting for caution ahead of the T20 World Cup. Sanju Samson is expected to open in his absence.
Gill was hit on the toe late in an extended practice session and was in visible discomfort, prompting the team to rest him as a precaution, a BCCI source said. His availability for the Ahmedabad game remains uncertain.
The injury comes amid scrutiny over Gill’s form, with modest returns in the series, while Sanju Samson has impressed in recent outings. Gill had earlier missed the Test and ODI series against South Africa due to a neck injury that required hospitalisation.
Despite the dip in form, the coaching staff led by Gautam Gambhir has reiterated its backing of Gill, viewing him as a key top-order batter for the T20 World Cup early next year.
Cricket fans who came to the stadium were disappointed and had to leave without seeing any action. Speaking to news agency ANI, some supporters expressed frustration after missing the match.
One fan voiced his disappointment, saying he had sold three sacks of wheat and came to attend the match and now wants his money refunded.
“I sold three sacks of wheat and came here to watch the match. I want my money back.”
Another fan said, “It would have been better if the match had been scheduled earlier in the day. Tickets and reimbursement are irrelevant. We wanted to see the match, see our Indian Cricket Team.”
“I am heartbroken,” said another.
Notably, under the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) money-refund policy, refunds (minus fees) are issued if a match is cancelled or abandoned before a single ball is bowled.
