As Team India prepares for the series-deciding third ODI against South Africa in Visakhapatnam, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has underlined a major concern that could heavily influence the outcome — the dew factor. With the series levelled at 1-1, conditions rather than pure skill might decide who walks away with the trophy.
Ryan ten Doeschate Highlights Dew as India’s Biggest Challenge
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ten Doeschate admitted that dew continues to be a significant hurdle, especially in night games on the east coast.
“The dew factor is so big here. It is obviously not our fault but it is our responsibility to find a way to get around that. The biggest challenge is sorting out the disparity between batting first and batting second,” he said, as quoted by India Today.
He also addressed the idea of shifting match timings to reduce dew, but noted that the final decision lies with broadcasters.
“The dew falls as the second innings starts, and a different start time could bring that effect down. But obviously broadcasting plays a role, so it is a futile conversation,” Ten Doeschate added.
Despite the challenge, the assistant coach praised the umpires for their cooperation with ball changes and reflected on how India are adapting to the conditions. Citing the two new balls rule, he explained that a harder ball after 34 overs helps bowlers maintain some control even when dew sets in.
Team India Adjust Strategy with Batting and Bowling Plans
India are also adjusting their batting strategies to account for how the ball behaves in dewy conditions. According to Ten Doeschate, the team had to rethink their scoring targets on pitches where the ball can skid unpredictably under lights.
“We tried to factor it into our batting. Three hundred and twenty felt high, then we reframed to 350. You always want more runs, but sometimes the conditions make it tough,” he said.
With both teams locked at 1-1, the final ODI promises high stakes and high tension. The match will begin on December 6 at 1:30 PM, and dew may very well become the invisible opponent influencing how the game unfolds.
