The draw was scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. IST, but was delayed twice due to “excessive fog”.
Common man or superstar cricketer, everyone is getting affected by the biggest problem in North India: pollution. The weather’s turned so extreme that one couldn’t see the other end of the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Toss delayed in Lucknow due to ‘fog’
Umpires took notice and delayed the toss for the India vs South Africa 4th T20I, not once but twice. The coin was to be flicked at 6:30 PM IST, but was pushed back by 20 minutes. After the umpires inspected again and had a chat with the coaches of India, Gautam Gambhir, and South Africa, Shukri Conrad, before announcing another delay.
“Toss in Lucknow has been delayed due to excessive fog,” wrote BCCI. But the truth of the matter was that it wasn’t fog but smog. The entire Northern Indian region is getting choked. Pollution’s so rampant that in Delhi, children below the age of 11 have been asked to attend school online. Health experts have cautioned individuals to avoid any physical activities outdoors.
Dangerous conditions in Lucknow
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lucknow on December 17 was over 400 during the toss time. To those unaware, an AQI over 150 is considered ‘unhealthy’, and over 300 is ‘hazardous’. Safe to say that hosting a match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium wasn’t exactly safe for cricketers.
Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a mask during the pre-match training drills. While other cricketers weren’t wearing any protective breathing gear, several spectators were also donning masks.
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Smog & pollution welcome Team India in Lucknow, delay toss for IND vs SA 4th T20I
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