Why has the toss in the 4th IND vs SA 2025 T20I been delayed?

The fourth T20I between India and South Africa has been delayed due to heavy fog at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, December 17. The teams were already on the outfield warming up, when the decision to delay the toss was announced as the expectation is for the conditions to clear up.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released an official statement confirming the rare predicament.

"Toss in Lucknow has been delayed due to excessive fog. Next inspection at 6:50 PM," a post by BCCI on X read.

The first inspection by the match officials has not produced any optimistic result as the conditions are still deemed unfit to contest the match. According to an update by the BCCI, the next inspection has been planned for 7:30 PM IST.

"𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: Toss has been further delayed. The next inspection will be at 7:30 PM IST."

Visuals from the ground confirm that the excessive fog is a concern since the visibility is heavily limited. Pollution and high Air Quality Index in certain northern regions of the country have been on the higher side, and the low temperatures brought on by winter only worsen the conditions.

Team India lead by 2-1 in IND vs SA 2025 T20Is

The Men in Blue have a narrow lead in the five-match affair after their resounding win in the third contest in Dharamshala recently. They have the opportunity to seal the series with a game to spare, and secure their 10th consecutive T20I series win.

The fifth and final T20I of the series is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, December 19.