With dew expected to play a major role in Chennai’s humid conditions, ground staff at the MA Chidambaram Stadium have taken a proactive step ahead of the crucial ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash between the India national cricket team and the Zimbabwe national cricket team. In an attempt to neutralise the impact of dew during the night match, the stadium authorities have begun using a special anti-dew chemical known as “Dew Cure.”
The chemical, imported from the United States, is being applied by the ground staff under the supervision of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. Dew has historically influenced night games in Chennai, often giving the chasing side a significant advantage as the ball becomes slippery for bowlers. To counter this issue, Dew Cure is diluted with water and sprayed across the outfield to prevent moisture from settling on the grass.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the chemical was already applied on Tuesday and Wednesday. To ensure its effectiveness during match hours, another round of spraying was scheduled for Thursday afternoon ahead of the evening fixture.
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“Once Dew Cure is sprayed, it ensures that there is no moisture on the grass leaves. As soon as it gets wet, it is absorbed and the grass leaves turn dry,” a source told the publication.
Interestingly, members of the Indian team reportedly stayed back after their training session on Wednesday night to evaluate how effective the treatment was on the outfield. The players were said to be satisfied with the early results, suggesting that the ground conditions might remain relatively dry despite the humid weather.
T20 World Cup: Imported Chemical Sprayed At Chepauk Ahead Of India vs Zimbabwe Clash – Here’s Whyhttps://t.co/IauVXHdbYH pic.twitter.com/naacrCfqzh
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If the experiment proves successful during the India–Zimbabwe match, the anti-dew solution could also be used for the semifinals and the final of the tournament, although an official decision is yet to be confirmed.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is also reportedly considering introducing the chemical during the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Dew has often influenced the toss in IPL night games, with captains usually opting to bowl first.
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Meanwhile, India head into the Zimbabwe clash under significant pressure after their heavy 76-run loss to the South Africa national cricket team left them with a worrying net run rate of -3.8. If the West Indies cricket team defeat South Africa earlier in the day, India will not only need a win but also a strong margin to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
