Pandya was seen in a mask in the grounds of Lucknow (Photo-Twitter)

India vs South Africa, 4th T20I: Pollution became a big news during the match between India and South Africa in Lucknow. Hardik Pandya entered the field wearing a mask. It is being claimed that he came down wearing a mask because of the pollution in Lucknow. It is being claimed on social media that during the match the pollution level of Lucknow was beyond 400. Being outside in such high levels of pollution is very harmful, it comes in the category of extremely dangerous.

Other players were seen without masks

Although Hardik Pandya was seen in the mask for a short while. After some time, when he came on the field, he was not wearing a mask. Apart from Pandya, other Indian players also came on the field without masks. South African players were also not wearing masks. But according to weather websites, Lucknow's AQI was more than 400 at 7.30 pm.

Captain Hardik Pandya spotted wearing a mask ahead of the match in Lucknow. The current AQI in Lucknow is 490 (hazardous). Its downright dangerous for people to be playing sport in such conditions. pic.twitter.com/ygzZyDQET9

— Amar💫 (@KUNGFU_PANDYA_0) December 17, 2025

Was fog or smog the reason for the delay in the match?

The toss of the Lucknow T20 match was to be held at 6.30 pm but it could not happen. Actually, a lot of fog was visible in Lucknow Stadium. Even the stands of Lucknow Stadium were not visible, due to which the toss was not done on time. It was told that the delay was due to fog but it was more smog than that. Weather websites are the biggest proof of this.

Smog is a big threat to Indian cricket

Smog i.e. pollution is a big threat to Indian cricket in the coming times. If pollution increases then it may be possible to organize matches in Delhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh i.e. North India. Pollution had become a big issue even before the match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Delhi during the World Cup 2023. Both these teams had canceled their practice session. In 2017, the Sri Lankan team also took the field wearing masks in the Delhi Test.