Cricket fans were left dejected after the fourth T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to dense fog at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday.
The match was scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST, with the toss set for 7:00 PM. However, persistent fog forced the umpires to conduct six separate inspections before finally calling off the game at 9:25 PM, as visibility remained unsafe for play.
Thousands of spectators who had turned up at the venue were forced to return home disappointed, having waited for hours in vain. Several fans expressed their frustration while speaking to ANI.
One supporter revealed the extent of his sacrifice, saying he had sold three sacks of wheat just to attend the match and now wanted his money back.
“I sold three sacks of wheat and came here to watch the match. I want my money refunded,” he said.
Another fan lamented the scheduling of the fixture, stating that an earlier start could have prevented the abandonment.
“It would have been better if the match was scheduled earlier in the day. Tickets and reimbursement don’t matter, we just wanted to watch our Indian cricket team,” he said.
“I am heartbroken,” added another supporter.
As per the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) refund policy, spectators are entitled to a refund (after applicable deductions) if a match is cancelled or abandoned without a ball being bowled.
The fifth and final T20I of the series will now be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on December 19.
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