India vs South Africa:
The much-anticipated fourth showdown between India and South Africa in their five-match T20 series was all set for Wednesday at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium. Unfortunately, the dense fog thwarted what promised to be an exciting toss, leading to the match being canceled. Now, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to the deciding encounter slated for December 19 in Ahmedabad.
The toss was scheduled for 6:30 PM, but with the fog thickening ominously, it faced delays. Efforts to kick off the match continued till 9:30 PM, yet the fog only intensified. Six attempts were made by the umpires to evaluate the conditions, with Rajeev Shukla also visiting the ground. Ultimately, despite 3.5 hours of effort, the match could not commence, leaving Team India ahead in the series with a score of 2-1. The impending match in Ahmedabad now holds key significance for both teams vying for the series triumph.
Just Six Matches Before the World Cup
With less than two months till the T20 World Cup kicks off on February 7, Team India has only six T20s left in their preparation toolkit. They are set to play one more match against South Africa and an additional five against New Zealand. This cancellation could be a significant jolt in their World Cup preparation logistics.
Read More: IND vs SA: Shubman Gill Injured Again Within a Month, Out from Playing 11... A Blow to India Before the World Cup
Gill Faces Another Injury
Adding to the cloud of disappointment surrounding the canceled match, Lucknow bears more bad news for India. Shubman Gill, the team's deputy captain battling a rough patch, has succumbed to another injury with a leg strain. This marks the second time in a month Gill has faced an injury; previously, he exited the Kolkata Test against South Africa due to a throat injury. His absence from both Test and ODI series was noteworthy, and although he returned for the T20 series, a silent bat haunts his comeback.
