Uthappa, Steyn criticise match officials over multiple inspection in Lucknow T20: 'We should grab them and ask for clarity'

Former South African cricketer Dal Steyn and ex-India batter Robin Uthappa criticised the match officials as the fourth T20 between India and South Africa in Lucknow on Wednesday (17 December) was called off due to "excessive fog," but only after a painful delay of around three hours and six inspections. This was Ekana Stadium’s first night T20I in December, and it ended in a disaster.

Due to heavy fog that engulfed the city and the stadium, and poor AQI of over 400, the playing conditions and visibility were far from ideal. After multiple inspections that match was called off around 9.30 pm local time without a ball being bowled. It was scheduled to start at 7 pm.

Uthappa, Steyn slam match officials as fog abandons Lucknow T20

Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa, who was on commentary duties, was not impressed by the umpires’ strategy of conducting multiple inspections as he felt that process was “counterintuitive.”

“I’m actually not even listening to you because I’m so befuddled by the umpire’s decision right now. How do they think it’s going to get better as the night wears on? It’s not going to get better, it’s only going to get worse. It’s counterintuitive. What are they actually thinking, and what do they think will happen in half an hour that hasn’t happened over the last hour and a half? It’s quite confusing that they’ve still decided to give it half an hour more,” Uthappa said on JioHotstar.

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Steyn was equally baffled, saying they should “grab” an umpire and ask for clarity.

“I was going to say I’d love to get one of the umpires. Sometimes they say there’s another inspection at 8:30, but I don’t know all the rules they’re looking at. As a player, you just play the game. It would be informative to know what they’re assessing and thinking. If they walk past again, we should grab them and ask for clarity. As a former player, I feel we could play in this, but obviously there’s something in the rules that I’m not fully aware of,” Steyn said.

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Uthappa added that the situation would not improve later in the night as the temperatures would drop, so the match should have started at the scheduled time, or it should have been called off rather than waiting for things to improve.

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“I’ve played first-class games in far worse conditions, with a lot more fog. This is way better than that. I don’t see it getting better,” Uthappa added.