In the wake of widespread criticism and fan frustration over the abandonment of the India vs South Africa T20 International in Lucknow due to dense fog and poor visibility, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a detailed response addressing allegations related to venue allocation and scheduling decisions. The board’s reaction marks an important moment in the ongoing debate about how cricket is scheduled and hosted in India — particularly during the winter months when northern regions often grapple with smog and fog.
Context: Fog Leads to Match Abandonment
The controversy erupted when the fourth T20I between India and South Africa, scheduled at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow . Air quality levels had dipped into hazardous ranges, making it unsafe and effectively impossible for play to continue, even after multiple on-field inspections by match officials.
NDTV Sports
Fans, commentators, and a section of the media were swift to criticise the scheduling, questioning why a high-profile international match was placed in a region notorious for fog disruptions in mid-winter. Some even alleged that the BCCI’s venue choices were flawed and unfair to spectators and players alike.
BCCI’s Official Stand on Allegations
Responding to these concerns, the BCCI made it clear that it had no deliberate role in ‘choosing’ venues to favour or disadvantage anyone, and that the allocation of stadiums for international fixtures is governed by a rotational policy. This rotation is designed to ensure that cricket is spread across different parts of the country, giving various cities the opportunity to host marquee matches and ensuring fairness in distribution — not to mention catering to diverse regional fan bases.
The BCCI emphasised that this rotational policy has been part of its scheduling philosophy for years, meant to balance tradition with reach, and it does not arbitrarily assign matches based on preference or influence.
That said, the board acknowledged that weather conditions — especially fog — are an uncontrollable factor, and that the recent situation in Lucknow was an exceptional circumstance rather than a predictable scheduling error. The board highlighted that even extensive forecasting cannot always accurately predict sudden drops in visibility or unusually dense fog formations. Therefore, while venues are selected through a structured approach, weather remains an external variable that sometimes impacts outcomes.
Addressing the Venue Allocation Process
The BCCI reiterated that it does not single-handedly decide where to host cricket matches without a system. The rotational policy, comprising long-term planning and regional representation, aims to give every state association a fair chance to host international cricket.
Under this rotation, locations like Lucknow, Dharamsala, Ranchi, and other cities in northern and central India were included in the schedule alongside venues in the south and west of the country. This ensures that fans across India can witness live international cricket, rather than concentrating matches only in traditionally dominant arenas.
What the critics have overlooked, according to the board, is that scheduling venues across seasons is a complex logistical exercise involving not just location rotation, but also broadcasters, weather patterns, travel logistics, and the international calendar.
Reaction to Criticism and Weather Concerns
While the BCCI defended the venue allocation policy, officials also acknowledged that the recent fog issue deserves serious attention. The board’s executive leadership, including Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, stated publicly that winter scheduling must take climatic conditions into greater consideration moving forward. There have been indications that the BCCI may review winter fixtures between 15 December and 15 January to possibly relocate matches to regions less affected by fog — such as southern or western India — where weather conditions tend to be more favourable for uninterrupted play.
This is not a casual remark. Shukla stressed that while rotation remains important, the board must also factor in player safety, spectator experience, and likelihood of weather disruptions when finalising future schedules.
Distinguishing Venue Allocation from Scheduling Decisions
It is important to clarify that venue allocation and scheduling are two distinct aspects of cricket administration:
Venue Allocation refers to the process by which cities and stadiums are chosen to host matches over a series or a season, governed by the rotational policy.
Scheduling refers to when those matches take place — e.g., dates and time slots — which also involves considerations such as weather patterns, local climate, broadcaster needs, and logistics.
While critics have targeted the BCCI for allowing a match in Lucknow at a time prone to fog, the board maintains that venue and date selection are tied to different decision streams, and that the rotational policy was followed in venue allocation.
Looking Forward: Adapting to Feedback
Following the Lucknow incident, there is growing acceptance within the BCCI that weather forecasting and historical climatic data will play a larger role in future scheduling decisions — especially for winter tours, domestic tournaments, and bilateral series involving international teams.
The board’s openness to review scheduling, without compromising on venue diversity, signals a willingness to evolve and respond to stakeholder concerns. There is a growing view that incorporating seasonal weather assessments into the scheduling process would help minimise disruptions and enhance the fan experience without undermining the rotational policy that ensures nationwide engagement with cricket.
Final Perspective:
The BCCI’s recent statement makes it clear that while the board remains committed to a rotational, fair, and structured venue allocation policy, it also recognises that weather remains a challenge — one that cannot always be predicted or fully mitigated. The board’s response aimed to dispel allegations of bias or negligence in venue allocation, reinforce the fairness of its rotation system, and stress the importance of future scheduling adaptations to protect the integrity of the game.
As Indian cricket continues to engage with millions of fans at home and abroad, the dialogue around scheduling and weather readiness is likely to shape future decisions.
| Section / Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Article Title | BCCI Responds to Allegations on FOG and Venue Allocation: A Comprehensive Look |
| Issue Overview | Widespread criticism and fan frustration followed the abandonment of the India vs South Africa T20 International in Lucknow due to dense fog and poor visibility |
| Governing Body | Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) |
| Match Affected | Fourth T20I between India and South Africa |
| Venue | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| Primary Cause of Abandonment | Dense fog and poor visibility |
| Environmental Conditions | Air quality dipped into hazardous ranges |
| Match Officials’ Action | Multiple on-field inspections conducted before abandonment |
| Source Mentioned | NDTV Sports |
| Public Reaction | Fans, commentators, and media criticised the scheduling decision |
| Key Criticism | Match scheduled in a region known for fog disruptions during mid-winter |
| Allegations Against BCCI | Venue choices were flawed and unfair to players and spectators |
| BCCI’s Official Response | Denied deliberate role in choosing venues to favour or disadvantage any region |
| Venue Allocation Policy | Governed by a rotational policy |
| Purpose of Rotation Policy | Ensure fair distribution of matches and nationwide fan engagement |
| BCCI’s Clarification | Venues are not assigned arbitrarily or based on influence |
| Weather Acknowledgement | Fog recognised as an uncontrollable and external factor |
| Lucknow Incident Status | Described as an exceptional circumstance |
| Forecasting Limitation | Sudden fog formations cannot always be accurately predicted |
| BCCI’s Stand on Responsibility | Venue selection is structured, but weather impacts outcomes |
| Venue Allocation System | Long-term planning with regional representation |
| State Associations’ Role | Every state association given fair hosting opportunities |
| Venues Included Under Rotation | Lucknow, Dharamsala, Ranchi, northern, central, southern, and western cities |
| Fan Accessibility Goal | Allow fans across India to watch live international cricket |
| Scheduling Complexity | Involves broadcasters, weather patterns, travel logistics, and international calendar |
| BCCI’s Reaction to Criticism | Acknowledged the seriousness of weather-related concerns |
| Key Official Quoted | Vice-President Rajeev Shukla |
| Future Scheduling Consideration | Climatic conditions to be given greater importance |
| Potential Review Period | 15 December to 15 January winter window |
| Possible Venue Shift | Southern or western India for better weather conditions |
| Key Priorities Highlighted | Player safety, spectator experience, and disruption risk |
| Administrative Distinction Made | Venue allocation and scheduling are separate processes |
| Venue Allocation Defined As | Selection of cities and stadiums under rotational policy |
| Scheduling Defined As | Decision on match dates and time slots |
| Scheduling Factors | Weather patterns, local climate, broadcaster needs, logistics |
| BCCI’s Defence | Rotational policy was followed in venue allocation |
| Forward-Looking Approach | Increased use of weather forecasting and climatic data |
| Scope of Future Changes | Winter tours, domestic tournaments, bilateral series |
| Policy Balance | Review scheduling without compromising venue diversity |
| Overall Intent | Minimise disruptions and enhance fan experience |
| Final BCCI Position | Commitment to fair, rotational venue policy while recognising weather challenges |
| Core Objective | Protect integrity of the game |
| Broader Impact | Ongoing dialogue to shape future scheduling decisions in Indian cricket |
Q 1: Why was the India vs South Africa T20I in Lucknow abandoned due to fog?
The fourth T20 International between India and South Africa, scheduled at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, was abandoned due to dense fog and poor visibility. Air quality levels in the region had dropped into hazardous ranges, making it unsafe for players and officials. Despite multiple on-field inspections by match officials, conditions failed to improve, leaving no option but to call off the match. The incident sparked widespread frustration among fans and drew attention to the challenges of hosting winter matches in northern India, where fog and smog are recurring seasonal issues.
FAQ 2: What is BCCI’s response to allegations regarding venue allocation and fog-related disruptions?
The BCCI has firmly denied allegations that it deliberately chose venues without considering weather risks. According to the board, venue allocation is governed by a rotational policy, designed to ensure fair distribution of international matches across different regions of the country. This policy allows various state associations and fan bases the opportunity to host marquee fixtures. The BCCI clarified that venues are not assigned arbitrarily or based on preference. While acknowledging that fog is an uncontrollable external factor, the board described the Lucknow incident as an exceptional circumstance, stressing that even advanced weather forecasting cannot always predict sudden visibility drops.
FAQ 3: Will the BCCI change its scheduling approach following this incident?
While defending its rotational venue policy, the BCCI has indicated openness to reviewing winter scheduling practices. Senior officials, including Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, have stated that climatic conditions will receive greater consideration moving forward. There is a possibility that matches scheduled between 15 December and 15 January may be shifted to southern or western regions, where weather conditions are generally more stable. The board has emphasised the importance of balancing venue diversity with player safety, spectator experience, and minimising weather-related disruptions, signaling a more data-driven approach to future scheduling decisions.
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