India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is trending for the wrong reasons after a viral video showed him snatching a fan’s phone, while the BCCI faces massive backlash for scheduling a T20I in Lucknow’s hazardous “411 AQI” smog.
December 18, 2025: A tense confrontation between Jasprit Bumrah and a fan has taken social media by storm. In a clip that surfaced on Wednesday, a fan is seen recording a selfie video with Bumrah standing in a check-in queue behind him.
The Indian pacer, visibly annoyed, issued a clear warning: “Phone gir gaya aapka toh mereko bolna nahi” (If your phone falls, don’t blame me). When the fan persisted, saying, “Koi baat nahi sir” (That’s okay, sir), Bumrah lost his patience, grabbed the device, and reportedly threw it aside.
The internet is divided:
- The Critics: Labeled the move “arrogant” and “disrespectful,” suggesting that Bumrah is venting on-field frustration on fans.
- The Supporters: Argued that even celebrities deserve personal space and that the fan ignored a direct warning to stop recording.
Lucknow Fiasco: “I Sold Three Sacks of Wheat to Be Here”
While the Bumrah drama unfolded online, real-world chaos erupted at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow for the 4th T20I between India and South Africa. The match was abandoned without a single ball bowled or even a toss due to “excessive fog.”
The conditions were described as hazardous:
- Severe Smog: The Air Quality Index (AQI) peaked at a dangerous 411.
- Visibility Zero: Umpires conducted six inspections but concluded that fielders would be unable to track the ball, making play impossible.
- Safety First: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a mask during the warm-up before the team retreated to the dressing rooms.
Fan Heartbreak: One devastated supporter told news agencies, “I sold three sacks of wheat to afford this ticket and come here. I just want my money back.”
Shashi Tharoor Slams BCCI Scheduling
Senior Congress leader and cricket enthusiast Shashi Tharoor took to X (formerly Twitter) to slam the BCCI’s decision to host a match in North India during the peak of winter smog.
Comparing the air quality, Tharoor wrote:
“Cricket fans have been waiting in vain… but thanks to dense smog and an AQI of 411, visibility is too poor. They should’ve scheduled the game in Thiruvananthapuram, where AQI is about 68 right now!”
The abandonment has triggered a fresh debate on whether international fixtures should be moved to South India during the months of December and January to avoid the inevitable North Indian fog.
What’s Next?
With the series currently standing at 2–1 in favor of India, all eyes now shift to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the fifth and final T20I on December 19, 2025. Fans are hoping for clearer skies and a more composed Bumrah as the series reaches its climax.