The toss for the India vs South Africa 4th T20I in Lucknow was delayed on Wednesday evening, even though there was no rain in the area. The reason, however, lies in thick fog and cold winter conditions, not precipitation.
According to match officials, visibility around the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium dropped significantly as evening set in, prompting umpires to delay proceedings. An inspection was scheduled for 6:50 PM local time to reassess conditions before deciding on the toss.
Fog, not rain, behind the delay
Lucknow has been experiencing dense winter fog, and on match day the haze became thick enough to affect player visibility, umpiring clarity, and broadcast conditions. While the outfield and pitch remained dry, international playing conditions require safe and clear visibility before the toss and start of play can take place.
Broadcasters also rely on minimum visibility standards, especially for ball tracking and on-field cameras, which are critical for international matches.
Pitch and weather conditions add complexity
Former cricketers Deep Dasgupta and Pommie Mbangwa, during the pitch report, highlighted how cold temperatures have impacted the surface.
The pitch, a mix of red and black soil, was described as very cold to the touch, making it difficult to keep moisture out. Because of this, the surface is expected to be slower than usual, with scores in the 150–160 range seen as competitive rather than the typical high-scoring T20 totals.
They also noted that:
- There could be lateral movement early on
- Dew later in the evening may assist chasing teams
- Bounce is expected to remain good, but conditions will challenge batters
Shubman Gill ruled out adds to pre-match developments
Adding to the pre-match updates, Shubman Gill was ruled out of the game due to a foot injury, forcing India into a late team rethink even before the toss could take place.
Series context remains crucial
South Africa entered the match in a must-win situation, trailing in the series after heavy defeats at Cuttack and Dharamsala. India, meanwhile, had a chance to seal the series, though concerns around batting form — especially with an injured Gill and inconsistent returns from key batters — remained.
Despite the toss delay, officials indicated that once visibility improves to acceptable levels, the match should proceed without a reduction in overs.
In short, fog and winter visibility issues — not rain — are the sole reason behind the delayed toss in Lucknow.
