Lucknow T20 Delayed: Hardik Pandya Wears Mask Amid Hazardous AQI & Smog

• India vs South Africa T20 match in Lucknow delayed due to smog and dense fog.
• Toss, scheduled for 6:30 PM IST, postponed; next inspection at 8:00 PM, delaying match by an hour.
• Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a mask as Lucknow's Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a hazardous 490.
• Questions raised about BCCI's decision to host matches in northern/eastern regions during winter.
• Shubman Gill is out of the series due to a thumb injury; Sanju Samson might open in his place.

Why It Matters: Hazardous AQI and smog delay Lucknow T20; Hardik Pandya wears mask, Gill injured.