"National Public Health Crisis": Hardik Pandya Training With Mask On At India vs SA 4th T20I In Lucknow Leaves All Shocked
All-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a face mask during Team India's practice session, held amidst intense fog, at ahead of the fourth T20I against South Africa in Lucknow.
- Hardik Pandya wore a face mask while practising amid dense fog at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow
- Images of Hardik wearing a mask went viral, prompting reactions from fans about the air quality
- "International cricket cannot be played safely. It's a national public health crisis," posted a fan on X
The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday. No image summed up the gravity of the situation more than that of India all-rounder Hardik Pandya wearing a face mask while practising at the stadium. The images of Hardik wearing the mask quickly went viral on social media. Fans were left waiting for more than three hours, as umpires made as many as seven inspections, but not even the toss was possible in the end.
With no play possible in Lucknow, much to the dismay of a lot of enthusiastic fans at the stadium, India remain 2-1 ahead in the five-match series and cannot lose the trophy. The teams will now turn their attention to the fifth and final match scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Can you IMAGINE?
— Mohit Chauhan (@mohitlaws) December 17, 2025
The 4th T20i match between India and South Africa delayed due to pollution in Lucknow.
Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a face mask.
It is very dangerous for players to play in this deadly toxic air. pic.twitter.com/IiGLnxKPlb
Hardik Pandya wearing a mask on a cricket field is alarming!
— Vikrant (@tightvcptrader) December 17, 2025
This didn't happen in a Tier-1 metro, it happened in Lucknow!
When international cricket can't be played safely, it's no longer a city or seasonal issue.
India's air pollution is now a national public health crisis! pic.twitter.com/ARyH0LkalK
Hardik Pandya spotted wearing a mask in Lucknow .
— Surbhi (@SurrbhiM) December 17, 2025
So was it fog or smog in Lucknow?#Lucknow pic.twitter.com/4tjRpHbPYn
India vice-captain Shubman Gill will be eager to regain full fitness ahead of Friday's contest at the place where he has enjoyed prolific success with the bat, including his lone T20I century, and boasts a strong IPL record. But with the opener nursing a foot injury, it raises the likelihood of Sanju Samson featuring in the playing eleven.
The first indications of a possible abandonment of the first T20I to be held in Lucknow in December came when the toss, scheduled for 6:30 pm IST, was initially delayed to 6:50 pm. But with the fog not going away, further inspections were scheduled at 7:30 pm, 8:00 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:00 pm and 9:20 pm.
Amidst the inspections, Jasprit Bumrah's participation in warm-ups provided reassurance after missing the third T20I in Dharamsala due to personal reasons. But with the fog not relenting, players from both sides indulged in warm-up routines but were eventually forced to go indoors, even as the ground staff used a light roller on the pitch.
Hardik Pandya
India Cricket Team