IND vs SA 4th T20I Highlights: Match Called Off Due To Dense Fog In Lucknow

The 4th T20I match between India and South Africa was called off due to dense fog in Lucknow.

Umpires are back on court, assessing conditions as fog worsens. Another inspection looms at 9:25 pm. 

One must applaud the fans, who are still waiting for the game to happen. This is a bad advertisement for a sporting event. The umpires have pushed for another inspection at 9 PM IST.

The toss has been delayed yet again. The umpires have asked for another inspection at 8:30 PM IST. This is getting frustrating for the viewers, players and the broadcasters as well.

The waiting game continues as the conditions are not yet fit to play. The umpires have asked for another inspection at 8 PM IST.

The frustration continues to grow as the toss has been pushed to 7:30 PM IST. The match officials are waiting for the fog to get cleared but how is it going to happen on its own. If there is no visibility, just call it off. 

As per a report, India vice-captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the last two T20I games against South Africa with a toe injury. 

The toss has been delayed due to foggy conditions at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. 

Stay tuned for live updates as the toss will be taking place anytime soon. Good news - Jasprit Bumrah is back in this game.

“The way this series has gone, South Africa has fought well in every format. On the Lucknow pitch, there is bounce and seam, and South Africa’s fast bowlers will look to make early inroads. India will need to be prepared for that challenge.”

“Going deep inside the crease is Hardik Pandya’s specialty. Even when he goes that deep, his weight remains on the front foot, which is a very good thing. As a batter, we always encourage waiting for the ball. He plays with a very wide base, which allows him to generate a lot of power. He can play front-foot shots, back-foot shots, baseball-style hits, full shots and the upper cut. He opens up both sides of the ground, which is a special ability. He bowls at around 132–133 kmph with a fuller length, where close to 54% of his deliveries are pitched up, and he gets wickets from there. He allows the ball to swing, and when required, he goes for the yorker as well. The Indian team has benefited immensely from his ability.”

“In the beginning, his footwork was very positive. But if you remove three or four boundaries over 28 games, the issue has been on straighter lines. Against straight deliveries, his strike rate has fallen quite low. Outside the off stump, his strike rate is good, but there have been a few edges as well. Overall, he has scored runs, but straight-line play is something he will want to improve. In the second game, the ball that got him out was a very good delivery—it could have dismissed any batter. His footwork has improved, and if he continues to play with clear footwork, he will be able to hit the same shots consistently, like the three or four boundaries we’ve seen.”

“First of all, it’s his attacking mindset. If there’s a delivery outside the off stump, he hits it very hard. One very important aspect of his batting is his high backlift. He holds the bat above the handle, which gives him excellent reach. Because of the swing he generates, he can hit big sixes, especially over the covers. Hitting sixes over the covers is a special ability. He doesn’t try to hit from below, which gives him an incredible range.”

Speaking to the official broadcaster, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar analysed Abhishek Sharma’s intent, Shubman Gill’s form, Hardik Pandya’s all-round impact, and the challenge South Africa could pose.

With India taking a 2–1 lead in the five-match T20I series against South Africa, attention shifts to Lucknow as Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav eye crucial runs and escape from their respective lean patches in T20Is.

Hello and welcome to the live cricket coverage of match number 4 of the series between India and South Africa here at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.