Janata Dal (United) leader and former Rajya Sabha MP KC Tyagi on Tuesday announced his decision to quit the party, ANI reported. The development comes a day after JD(U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the state. Kumar
The Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (UPMSP) is set to commence the evaluation process for the classes 10th and 12th examinations starting tomorrow, March 18. Over 54 lakh students had appeared for the examination this year. After the evaluation of UP Board exam papers is complete
Meta Platforms shares rose nearly 3% on Monday after a Reuters report that the social media giant plans to lay off 20% or more of its workforce to offset heavy spending on artificial intelligence and bet on productivity gains from the technology. If Meta settles on the 20% figure
AB de Villiers has proposed that MS Dhoni should elevate his batting position within the Chennai Super Kings lineup. On another note, Anil Kumble has endorsed the idea of integrating Sanju Samson into the team's leadership structure, praising his stellar form and rapport with supporters
Oncologist explains why women are more likely to get thyroid cancer, shares 5 warning signs: Voice changes, lump in neckHear from an oncologist on why women are more vulnerable to this type of cancer than men, and what are some signs that can help one stay alert. Published on: Mar 17
New Renault Duster: Renault has launched the all-new Duster in India at a starting price of Rs 10.49 lakh. The top-end variant goes up to Rs 18.49 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi. 2026 Renault Duster: Renault has launched the all-new Duster in India at a starting price of Rs 10.49 lakh
Sourav Ganguly joins TMC rumours: Sourav Ganguly has officially quashed rumours of his political entry ahead of West Bengal's upcoming Assembly elections. His office stated these claims are entirely baseless. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India is implementing robust
Former MP KC Tyagi quits JD(U)His exit comes amid shifting political currents within the JD(U) and its alliances, and is being viewed in political circles as an indication of possible churn within the party’s senior leadership Published on: Mar 17, 2026 6:01 PM IST By Sanjeev K Jha
BCCI BREAKS silence on refund issue after 4th SA T20I abandoned due to fog

BCCI BREAKS silence on refund issue after 4th SA T20I abandoned due to fog
Following the abandonment of the fourth T20I between India and South Africa, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the UPCA is the “competent authority” responsible for managing full ticket refunds.
New Delhi: Following the abandonment of the fourth T20I between India and South Africa due to intense fog and low visibility, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said that the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) is the “competent authority” responsible for handling full ticket refunds. The match's cancellation left fans disappointed, many of whom are requesting refunds.
Under the BCCI's refund policy, fans are eligible for reimbursement (minus fees) if a match is cancelled or abandoned before a single ball is bowled, “That is under the domain of the state cricket association, which is UPCA. So, this game's hosting state is the UPCA. So, they will be able to tell you about this, and they are the competent authority.”
“Everything in ticketing is done by the state association, as the BCCI just gives them the hosting rights and all these things are taken care of and are under the domain of the state association,” Saikia told IANS on Thursday.
Multiple inspections by on-field umpires K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan and Rohan Pandit, along with reserve umpire J.R. Madanagopal, failed to improve conditions, and the match was ultimately called off at 9:30 pm.
With the match at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium abandoned, India leads the five-match T20I series 2-1. The fifth and final T20I is scheduled for Friday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The cancellation of the fourth T20I has sparked renewed debate over the BCCI's decision to schedule international matches during the winter, especially as the series against South Africa is considered crucial preparation for the Men's T20 World Cup in February-March.
This marked the first T20I scheduled in Lucknow in December, and it has now gained the unfortunate distinction of being India's first major international match to be abandoned due to heavy fog.
India's star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing a mask on the field, emphasizing the intensity of the fog and the hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI). While scheduling matches in North India during winter has long been a topic of debate, Saikia called Wednesday/s abandoned game in Lucknow a rare and exceptional situation
“No, it is a solitary weather situation. Normally we have this kind of weather in the month of January. This time it is quite early, number one, and number two, we had a match in Dharamsala also the other day. Dharamsala is a much colder place. So you cannot predict fog, and rain. Nowadays cricket is a throughout the year annual event for 12, and we have to have the matches.
“When we saw that there were big disturbances from fog in northern India in the month of January, we already restructured our domestic cricket matches. That's why there is a big gap between Ranji Trophy matches in North India. If you look at our schedule, we have bifurcated the Ranji Trophy matches into two parts.”
“During the first part of January, we are not scheduling any matches in North India from last year onwards, if you follow that. This Lucknow incident is an exceptional weather condition. We had three matches in North India – one in Chandigarh, Dharamshala and one in Lucknow – all are in the same build,”he elaborated.
Saikia also cited an example where earlier warnings about smog in New Delhi after Diwali resulted in the national capital hosting the second Test against the West Indies in October, rather than the initially planned series opener against South Africa.
“If we had got any sense that there will be something like this, you can take the example of rescheduling or swapping of the Test match in New Delhi. If you look at the West Indies match, the second Test was played in New Delhi. In fact, the second Test was scheduled to happen in Kolkata.”
“I don't think Lucknow always has this kind of fog at this part of the time. Maybe in the first part of January, it is normal, but we are still in the second or third week of December. We still have 15 days time to be in that situation. That is one of the tough things we saw yesterday, and for this, we cannot have any kind of rescheduling,” he concluded.
Source: India.com
Related Posts: How to survive abandonment by America South Korean President visits China following Beijing's rising tensions with Japan over Taiwan IND vs NZ fourth T20I South Korea's fourth space rocket launch successful India vs South Africa 3rd T20I India vs South Africa 1st T20I Gill, Hardik return as India begin official T20I WC build-up vs South Africa India vs South Africa 5th T20I Live Score India vs South Africa 4th T20I Called Off Due To Excessive Fog In Lucknow India vs South Africa 2nd T20I
Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri shared a decades-long friendship and creative partnership, marked by unwavering loyalty, mutual respect, and a shared passion for authentic, groundbreaking cinema. In the memoirs of Indian cinema, few friendships have been as legendary as that of Naseeruddin Shah and
1 days ago
The controversy surrounding the song ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ from the Kannada movie KD: The Devil, featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt, continues to intensify. After the song’s lyrical video went viral on social media, many netizens and celebrities slammed the song’s ‘vulgar’ lyrics
1 days ago
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will contest from Bhabanipur. She faces BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in a key electoral battle. The Trinamool Congress has released its candidate list for all 294 seats. The upcoming elections are crucial for Banerjee's political future
1 days ago
A number of festivals are lined up this week, including Eid-ul-Fitr, Chaitra Navratri and Gudi Padwa. As Muslims and Hindus alike look forward to these auspicious festivals, preparations are in full swing to mark the celebrations this year. This week’s festivities begin with Gudi Padwa and
1 days ago
Joan Laporta was reelected as the president of FC Barcelona for another five years after winning a leadership vote among members of the Spanish soccer powerhouse. Shortly after midnight in Barcelona, the club announced Laporta had won. His only rival, Víctor Font
1 days ago
The Odisha Congress on Tuesday suspended three of its MLAs for defying the party whip during the recently held Rajya Sabha elections, in a move aimed at enforcing discipline within the party. The suspended legislators — Ramesh Jena, Sofia Firdous and Dasarathi Gamang — were accused of
1 days ago
US President Donald Trump was cautioned ahead of military action against Iran that Tehran could retaliate against American allies in the Gulf, according to officials familiar with US intelligence assessments. Sources said pre-war briefings had identified Iranian retaliation as a likely scenario
1 days ago
Akshay Kumar opens up about spooky incident at home: ‘My son pointed at nothing and asked someone to leave…’As he returns to the horror-comedy genre, Akshay Kumar spoke about an eerie experience that once left him shaken Published on: Mar 17
1 days ago
“Micro dreaming games" are trending on social media, with many claiming they help anxious minds and people with insomnia fall asleep faster. The idea is gaining popularity largely because of how simple it sounds. For anyone who has spent hours staring at the ceiling
1 days ago
FM Sitharaman’s remarks come amid broader discussions on financial sector health, where overall MSME NPAs remain lower at around 3.6 per cent as of March 2025, compared to Mudra-specific figures. New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has reaffirmed the transformative role of the Pradhan
1 days ago
The liver is one of the most vital organs in the human body. From digesting the food we eat to filtering toxins from the blood, it performs hundreds of essential functions that keep the body running smoothly. However, modern lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits have led to a rise in serious
1 days ago
Vivo T5x 5G Price In India: The smartphone supports 5G, Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi, GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and a USB Type-C port. The phone also includes sensors like an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, e-compass, gyroscope, and proximity sensor
1 days ago
Mustard oil is one of those kitchen staples you rarely question. It sits on the shelf, gets heated till it smokes, and finds its way into everything from tadkas to pickles. But lately, there’s been a growing unease around what exactly is going into that bottle
1 days ago
The National Investigation Agency has arrested seven foreign citizens on charges of conspiring to carry out terrorist activities against India, ThePrint reported on Monday. While six of them are Ukrainians, one is from the United States, The Indian Express reported
1 days ago
As West Bengal gears up for assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress announced its candidate list, a critical exercise to maintain dominance after 15 years. The party focused on balancing experience with youth, analyzing local equations and feedback to counter anti-incumbency and ensure
1 days ago
Eid is a time of celebration, togetherness, and sharing delicious food with loved ones. This festive season, add a special touch to your Eid table with flavorful and nourishing recipes made with nuts, offering the perfect balance of taste, tradition, and festive indulgence
1 days ago
China announced emergency humanitarian assistance for Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq, aiming to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis in the region. The foreign ministry expressed deep sympathy for affected populations, emphasizing the ongoing conflict's devastating impact
1 days ago
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested seven foreign nationals, six Ukrainians and one American for allegedly providing terrorist training to insurgent groups in Myanmar to carry out attacks in northeast India. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had a major breakthrough on March
1 days ago
If you love Korean cuisine, these K-dramas are a must-watchIf you love to savour Korean cuisines, these K-dramas featuring food as the main character are definitely a must-watch. Updated on: Mar 17, 2026 5:14 PM IST By Anukriti Srivastava Share via Copy link Korean dramas have taken the world by
1 days ago
A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Cuba early on Tuesday (March 17, 2026), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. The quake hit at a depth of 11.6 kilometers (7.2 miles) about 49 kilometers south-southwest of Cuba's easternmost municipality of Maisi at 12:28 a.m.
1 days ago
In the third week of the joint US-Israeli war against Iran, Donald Trump faces decisions that could define the rest of his presidency. But if the American commander-in-chief is grappling with a war of choice that seems in danger of spiralling in ways he can't control
1 days ago
‘I want Nayanthara’: AIADMK MP remarks while criticising Stalin at women safety rally stokes controversyWhile participating in the party's protest against the DMK dispensation in Villupuram , Shanmugam, a former state minister remarked "I want Nayanthara''. Published on: Mar 17
1 days ago
All Indian Cine Workers Association demands ban on Nora Fatehi song Sarke Chunar, FIR against producersThe All Indian Cine Workers Association has said that songs such as Sarke Chunar with vulgar and double-meaning content is unacceptable in Indian cinema. Mar 17, 2026
1 days ago
With the press of a button Rs 2,000 is being credited to each beneficiary farmers' account on 13 March 2026. New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Friday (13 March 2026) released the 22nd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in Guwahati, Assam
1 days ago
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed on Tuesday that the Iranian security chief Ali Larijani has been killed. The Israeli defence minister’s statement came over two weeks after the United States and Israel launched an attack on the Iranian government on February 28
1 days ago
Congress expels Sofia Firdous, 2 other Odisha MLAs for voting for BJP in Rajya Sabha electionsSofia Firdous, a first-time MLA, showed disagreement with her party before voting, particularly over the decision to back the the Biju Janata Dal. Updated on: Mar 17
1 days ago
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 answer key last week. The objection window for the provisional answer key has closed, and candidates are eagerly awaiting their results. According to media reports
1 days ago