The fourth T20 International between India and South Africa was abandoned without a ball being bowled after heavy fog and smog severely reduced visibility at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Poor visibility around the ground delayed the toss as thick smog settled over the stadium well before the scheduled start time. Despite repeated assessments by the match officials, conditions failed to improve, making it unsafe for play to proceed under the floodlights.
The on-field umpires conducted multiple inspections across the evening, checking visibility from the pitch, the batter’s crease and the boundary line. Floodlight glare combined with the dense fog made it difficult to spot the ball clearly, raising safety concerns for players and officials.
South Africa’s players, who initially began their warm-up routines on the outfield, were eventually asked to return to the dressing room as conditions worsened. The pitch remained covered while spectators waited in hope of a start.
After a final inspection later in the night and discussions involving senior BCCI officials, the umpires took the decision to abandon the match as visibility showed no sign of improving.
The washout leaves India leading the five-match T20I series 2-1, with South Africa now needing a win in the final game to draw level. The fifth and concluding T20 International will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where both teams will aim for clearer conditions and a decisive finish to the series.
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