Fog-Hit India Vs South Africa T20I Triggers Debate In Parliament

A sharp exchange broke out in Parliament on Thursday between Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla over the “avoidable” abandonment of the 4th T20I in Lucknow due to severe fog and hazardous air quality.

The debate followed the total washout of the India vs South Africa match in Lucknow on Wednesday, where a “411 AQI” smog rendered the Ekana Stadium invisible.¹

Shashi Tharoor, representing Thiruvananthapuram, argued that the BCCI is repeatedly ignoring the predictable weather patterns of North India. He suggested that the “winter window” (December 15 – January 15) should be reserved for matches in the South, specifically Kerala, where skies are currently clear and air quality is healthy.

Rajeev Shukla countered by defending the BCCI’s rotation policy:

• The Policy: Shukla insisted that Kerala already receives its fair share of international cricket.
• The Quip: Growing weary of Tharoor’s persistent advocacy for his home state, Shukla sarcastically remarked, “We will shift all matches to Kerala,” drawing laughter and stoking further debate on the floor.

The North-South Scheduling Row

The exchange highlights a growing frustration among fans and lawmakers regarding the BCCI’s scheduling logic.

Shukla conceded that “greater care” is required when scheduling between mid-December and mid-January, but stopped short of promising a permanent shift in venue strategy.