Wed Dec 17 13:10:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

Heavy Fog Forces Abandonment of India-South Africa T20 in Lucknow

LUCKNOW, INDIA – December 18, 2024 – The highly anticipated fourth T20 match between India and South Africa was called off Wednesday at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow due to dense fog. The toss, originally scheduled for 6:30 PM, was repeatedly delayed as visibility remained poor. Despite multiple inspections by the umpires and efforts extending until 9:30 PM, the persistent fog prevented any play.

Officials made six attempts to assess the field, and even Rajiv Shukla, a senior cricket administrator, arrived to evaluate the situation. However, after a three-and-a-half-hour wait, the match was officially abandoned.

The Indian team currently leads the five-match series 2-1. The final match, to be played in Ahmedabad on December 19th, is now crucial to determining the series winner.

The cancellation is a blow to India’s preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7th. With only six T20 matches remaining before the tournament – one against South Africa and five against New Zealand – every opportunity for match practice is vital.

Adding to India’s concerns, batsman Shubman Gill has suffered another injury. The struggling vice-captain sustained a leg injury, marking his second injury in just one month. He previously injured his throat during the Kolkata Test against South Africa, sidelining him for the subsequent Test and ODI series. His return for the T20 series has been lackluster, further complicating matters for the team.

The abandonment has also drawn criticism from fans, who questioned the decision to schedule a T20 match in Lucknow during a season prone to heavy fog. The final match in Ahmedabad is now even more significant, with both the series win and crucial World Cup preparations on the line.

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