Former South African all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate has pinpointed the persistent dew factor as a major tactical hurdle for the Indian cricket team as they gear up for the crucial third and final One-Day International against South Africa. The series, currently locked at 1-1, will be decided at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday, December 21.
The Dewy Challenge in Paarl
Speaking ahead of the high-stakes series decider, Doeschate, who has extensive experience playing in South African conditions, emphasized how evening dew could significantly tilt the balance. The wet outfield and ball in the second innings make it notoriously difficult for bowlers, especially spinners, to maintain control. This has been a recurring theme in the series, influencing team decisions at the toss.
"The conditions in the evening, with the dew settling in, have made it very tough for the bowlers," Doeschate explained. He noted that this environmental factor has been a dominant feature, affecting the outcomes and strategies in the preceding matches. Teams winning the toss have shown a clear preference to chase, banking on the advantage dew provides to the batting side later in the night.
India's Batting Power and Bowling Concerns
Despite the bowling challenges posed by the dew, Doeschate was full of praise for India's formidable batting lineup. He specifically highlighted the explosive opening partnership of Sai Sudharsan and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who stitched together a mammoth 117-run stand in the previous match. "India's batting has been very impressive. The opening pair set a fantastic platform," he remarked.
However, he tempered this praise with a note of caution regarding the bowling department. The Indian attack, while skilled, has struggled to contain the South African batters under the lights when the ball gets slippery. Doeschate suggested that managing this phase will be critical for India's hopes of clinching the series. The performance of the spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav in the dewy conditions could be a decisive factor.
Series Context and Path to Victory
The three-match ODI series is intriguingly poised. After South Africa won the first ODI in Johannesburg by 8 wickets, India staged a strong comeback to win the second game in Gqeberha by 78 runs. The decider in Paarl promises a thrilling contest, with both teams vying for the series trophy.
Doeschate's analysis underscores a simple yet critical equation for success on Thursday: the team that better adapts to the evening dew, both with the ball and in the field, will likely emerge victorious. For India, it means finding a way to defend totals or restrict opponents even when conditions favor the bat. For South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, it means capitalizing on that known advantage.
As fans await the showdown, the insights from experienced players like Ryan ten Doeschate highlight the complex battle beyond just bat and ball, where nature itself plays a pivotal role in the game's outcome.
