IND vs SA 4th T20I Lucknow Fog Updates Live: No Signs Of Improvement, Inspection At 9:25 PM IST

IND vs SA 4th T20I Lucknow Fog Updates Live: The fourth T20 International between India and South Africa in Lucknow was hit by an unexpected hurdle on Wednesday evening as dense fog engulfed the Bharat

Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, forcing officials to delay the toss.

Visibility issues made it difficult to track the white ball, prompting match officials to call for repeated inspections. After multiple checks until 9:00 PM IST, the next inspection has now been scheduled for 9:25 PM.

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India head into the contest with a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, which has seen sharp momentum shifts across venues. The opening game in Cuttack on December 9 was a one-sided affair, with India piling up 175 for 6 before producing a ruthless bowling effort to dismiss South Africa for just 74, sealing a commanding 101-run win. The visitors hit back strongly in the second T20I at Mullanpur, where they posted an imposing 213 for 4 and then bowled India out for 162 to level the series with a 51-run victory.

The third match in Dharamsala once again swung in India's favour. Exploiting helpful conditions, the hosts restricted South Africa to 117 and wrapped up the chase with ease, reaching 120 for 3 in just 15.5 overs to reclaim the series lead. That performance has put India firmly in control, though conditions in Lucknow promise a different kind of challenge.

The Ekana Stadium has historically tested batters, with slow surfaces and low bounce. During the last T20I played at the venue in 2023, New Zealand were bowled out for 99, and India scraped home in a tense chase with only one ball remaining - a reminder of how tricky the ground can be under lights.

India, however, have been dealt a setback ahead of the crucial fixture. Vice-captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the final two T20Is after sustaining a toe injury during training, as reported by PTI and Cricbuzz. Sanju Samson is expected to open the innings in Gill's absence, while the team management has opted for a cautious approach to safeguard Gill's recovery.

With fog continuing to play spoilsport and inspections ongoing, both teams remain on standby. While India look to capitalise on their series advantage, South Africa face a must-win situation, needing a collective batting and bowling effort to keep the series alive.