Mumbai, Dec 19: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to review the scheduling of matches in North India between December 15 and January 15 following the abandonment of the fourth T20I between India and South Africa due to dense fog in Lucknow.BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla confirmed that the board will hold discussions to assess whether fixtures during this period should be shifted to venues in South or West India. The fourth T20I of the five-match series was called off without a ball being bowled at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, triggering disappointment among fans. India currently lead the series 2-1, with the final match scheduled to be played on Friday in Ahmedabad.
Shukla acknowledged the growing impact of fog on cricket in the northern part of the country. He said that not only international fixtures but domestic matches are also being affected, making it a serious issue that requires immediate attention.
The matter also drew a light-hearted reaction from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who urged Shukla to consider Kerala as a host during this period, suggesting a shift to venues with more favourable weather conditions.The December 15 to January 15 window includes key domestic and international fixtures. The Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier 50-over domestic tournament, will run from December 24 to January 18, with Jaipur among the host cities. Meanwhile, India’s ODI series against New Zealand is set to begin from January 11, with matches scheduled in Vadodara, Rajkot and Indore, featuring senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in action.
With weather disruptions becoming a recurring challenge, the BCCI’s review could have significant implications for future scheduling decisions during the winter months in North India.