The cancellation of an international cricket match due to fog has reignited debate over winter scheduling in India. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has urged the BCCI to move matches away from North India during the peak winter months. He said fog and pollution continue to disrupt games and disappoint fans.
His remarks came a day after the fourth T20 international between India and South Africa was abandoned in Lucknow because players could not see the ball clearly.
What Did Shashi Tharoor Say?
While speaking to the media, the Thiruvananthapuram MP directly addressed BCCI Executive Board vice president Rajeev Shukla and suggested a change in planning.
“Rajiv ji, I was saying that apart from scheduling matches in North India in January, Kerala aaiye (come to Kerala),”
Tharoor said winter conditions make it difficult to play cricket in many northern cities. He added that the southern states do not face such problems during this period.
Why South India Makes Sense in Winter
Tharoor explained that fog and pollution create visibility issues for players and officials. He said moving matches south could solve the problem.
“If the ball is not visible, how will we play? That is what I am saying—come to South India, where this issue of pollution does not exist at all. There is no fog here. The ball will be clearly visible, we will play well, and cricket fans will not have any reason to be upset.”
He stressed that fans travel long distances and pay high ticket prices. Weather-related cancellations, he said, hurt the spirit of the game.
What Was Rajeev Shukla’s Response?
Rajeev Shukla agreed that winter scheduling needs review, but pointed out practical limits.
“Woh scheduling mein dhiyan dena padega (the scheduling will have to be looked into). From December 15 to January 15, can we allocate matches to South India instead of North India? Kerala already gets them; there is a rotation policy in place.”
When Shukla said all matches cannot be given to Kerala alone, Tharoor responded with a smile.
“Humaare liye accha rahega naa (it will be good for us).”
Fog Forces India vs South Africa T20I Abandonment
The fourth T20I of the five-match series was called off at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow due to dense fog. Officials said visibility dropped to unsafe levels. The series now stands at 2-1 in India’s favour, with one match remaining.
Fans inside the stadium expressed disappointment as the match failed to begin despite an extended waiting time.
BCCI May Review Winter Match Calendar
Rajeev Shukla later acknowledged that fog is becoming a serious concern for both international and domestic cricket.
“The match had to be cancelled due to fog. The people were upset about it. We will need to review the scheduling of matches between 15 December to 15 January in north India to determine whether we need to shift them to south India or west India. Domestic matches are also being affected due to fog. It is a serious issue.”
What Happens Next?
The BCCI is expected to review its winter calendar ahead of future tours and domestic competitions. Cricket experts believe shifting matches south during winter could improve match completion rates and fan satisfaction.
For now, Tharoor’s suggestion has added momentum to a long-running debate on weather-safe scheduling in Indian cricket.