Ahead of the third and deciding ODI between India and South Africa, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate opened up about the difficulty posed by dew on the outfield. He pointed out that in the previous match in Raipur, heavy dew greatly aided South Africa’s chase of a steep 359, making life tough for Indian bowlers. India had posted around 340–350 after batting first in both ODIs, yet those totals proved insufficient.
The dew rendered the ball soggy and slippery, making it difficult for bowlers to grip, while batsmen found batting much easier under lights. Ten Doeschate said the impact of dew is considerable: “The dew factor is … we are actually trying to put a number on it, and it varies between 10 and 20 per cent … what a big difference it makes [to the result].”
Practice Under Tough Conditions
In response to this, the team has tailored its preparation: practicing with wet balls, trying to simulate match-day dew conditions to see how to bowl effectively when the ball is damp. The aim isn’t only to bat well and maximize first-innings runs, but also to improve bowling strategies under tough conditions: what lengths to bowl, how to defend high totals when dew disrupts grip mid-innings. “We are doing all the practical prep stuff, guys bowling with wet balls … setting up our strategy to get a premium score, figuring out how to defend, what is best to bowl with the wet ball when there is dew on the grass,” Ten Doeschate explained.
On Pressure, Strategy — and the Toss
Beyond the technical side, there’s a psychological aspect too. After suffering a Test whitewash at home against the same visitors, Ten Doeschate conceded there’s “a slight desperation” for India to salvage pride by clinching the ODI series. With the series currently leveled at 1–1, the decider in Visakhapatnam is set to be high-stakes.
Given how influential dew can be under lights — especially in ODIs where only one ball is used in the latter overs — the result may well come down to who wins the toss. As analysts note, the dew factor, combined with the older softer ball used from the 34th over onward, strongly favors the team batting second.
Ten Doeschate also addressed the possibility of shifting the match start time earlier — saying that while a two-hour earlier start “could bring that effect down a little bit,” logistical concerns around broadcasting make that a “futile conversation.”
In sum: India’s camp is treating dew as a major variable, practicing in wet conditions, rethinking bowling tactics, and entering the decider with pressure and urgency. Whether that preparation pays off may well come down to the toss, execution — and how well India adapts under dew-heavy lights.
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