India wary of invisible opponents ahead of series decider in New Delhi

Having been at the receiving end of the dew during the fourth ODI in the ongoing series between India and Australia in Mohali on Sunday, Virat Kohli and boys are looking to keep the dew factor in mind when they go on to the field at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Wednesday in the series decider.

More than Australia’s threatening middle-order or their own team combination, India are wary of another factor, which directly has very little to do in the match, but indirectly can alter the outcome of it, just like India found out in the previous ODI at Mohali. Ahead of the series-deciding fifth ODI at New Delhi, India have decided not to take a chance with India’s invisible enemy – the dew.

With the series level at 2-2, the team management on Tuesday asked the ground staff at the Kotla to keep a track of the dew factor that might impact the last ODI.

Speaking to IANS, a senior Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) official confirmed the development when the team management comprising batting coach Sanjay Bangar, bowling coach Bharat Arun and manager Sunil Subhramaniam visited Kotla on the eve of the final ODI.

"The team management has spoken to the ground staff and after taking a look at the wicket and enquiring on the conditions, the support staff asked them to keep a close watch on how much dew falls tonight as that will work as a case study for the game tomorrow. They want a report on the same tomorrow morning and will decide on the next course of action keeping the factor in mind," he said.

Asked if dew would come into play, the DDCA official said: "See, if there is breeze, the chances of dew is less. But, considering that it was a warm day, you will get quite a bit of dew tonight. Considering the present weather conditions, it should be the same on Wednesday as well." 

India have been on the receiving end of dew on the previous two ODIs. Keeping the dew factor in mind, Virat Kohli had opted to field first in the third ODI at Ranchi but while chasing Australia's 313-run target, the Indian batsmen faltered as there were no signs of dew. 

In the fourth ODI, the 46th and 47th over of the Australia innings saw the visitors pick 16 and 18 runs respectively. More interestingly, they were bowled by two of India's best bowlers in limited-overs cricket Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. While many praised Australia batsman Ashton Turner for playing a cracker of a knock - 84* off 43 balls - one forgot the dew factor which made it close to impossible to grip the ball.

In fact, while leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal went for 80 runs from his 10 overs, Kuldeep Yadav gave away 64 runs from his 10.

”We had expected dew would be a factor in the last game and it didn't come and here, we didn't expect dew in this game and it came very heavily,” said Shikhar Dhawan.

Speaking after the match, Kohli accepted that dew did play a part in the outcome of the game. "We had to get the fifth bowler out of the way tonight. If Kedar and Vijay was bowling with the dew, it would've been more difficult, so we wanted to get done with it first (explaining why Chahal was held back). It became too wet to bowl, it was very difficult to bowl in the right areas," he rued.