With two heavyweights of the world cricket all set to face-off in the series decider on Wednesday (March 13), it’s expected that dew factor won’t have a major impact on the exciting finale of India vs Australia 2019 five-match One-day International series at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi.
By going the tradition, the feather bed at Feroz Shah Kotla has helped batters as bowlers leaked runs in the white-ball cricket. In the impending game between Men in Blue and Kangaroos, the series decider is expected not to be affected by dew.
In Mohali, the dew factor has played its part as bowlers found it difficult to grip the ball. However, Ashton Turner played a blazing knock on his way to maiden fifty to help Australia in levelling the series at 2-2.
On March 10 (Sunday), the run-fest saw bowlers receiving a thrashing before dew made it further difficult for the hosts. The guests overhauled the target of 359 in 48.3 overs for the loss of six wickets. Heroics with the bat from Turner have won hearts for his big-hitting belligerence. He slammed 43-ball 84.
Since past 10 days, the weather has improved in the capital and the dew could take place, however, at the same time, it wouldn’t be a major cause of the concern according to a DDCA official.
With temperature predicted to hover around 26-degree centigrade, it will further go down to 15 Degree Celsius in the night. It’s the indicator that a dew won’t impose much threat for the team bowling second on a belter of a surface.
The official has stressed upon the demography while saw even the appearance of dew won’t spoil the party of teams in the much-awaited clash.
“I don’t think dew should have a major impact in the game. We have a 1.30pm start for the match and even if dew comes down, it shouldn’t have as big an impact as it did at the PCA Stadium in Mohali because we are located a little south of Chandigarh,” a senior DDCA official told CricketNext.
Interestingly, it has been the ideal to bat first on a Kotla surface given to slow nature of the surface. The hosts’ spinners have always been a threat for the opponents. However, it would be interesting to see how they would tackle high-flying visitors.
“That match was played two years back. The Kotla pitch has evolved since then. We had plenty of high scoring ties in the IPL games last year and spinners haven’t had a huge impact. It has been a thrilling ODI series so far. And fans can look forward to another high-scoring clash come Wednesday,” official added.
The official maintained team chasing at Feroz Shah Kotla will help their cause.
But again thing would be tricky in the virtual final.
“The tracks for the Ranji Trophy had plenty of runs in them. Bengal managed to chase down a 300-plus total in the fourth innings with ease to win the match. We don’t expect the surface to change much over the course of the two innings. The team chasing should have the advantage in the fifth ODI; it will safeguard them from dew as well if it comes down,” the official concluded.
Besides, Virat Kohli is all set to lead his side at his hometown. He has all on his shoulders to script the history.
For the last time, Feroz Shah hosted New Zealand back in 2017 when Ashish Nehra played his last international game. However, the ODI came back in 2016.