Special chemical from US to be used at Chepauk to cut down dew factor in IND vs ZIM Super 8 clash

To curtail the dew factor in the all-important India versus Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash, officials at Chennai’s Chepauk stadium have introduced a specialised chemical from the United States. According to a report in Indian Express, the recent spike in local temperatures has made heavy dew a significant concern for this must-win match. By treating the grass with this product, groundskeepers hope to neutralise the atmospheric moisture that often makes the ball difficult to grip and the outfield treacherous for fielders.

US chemical to neutralise dew in IND vs ZIM clash

This marks a shift in pitch maintenance for the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), which originally imported the chemical, known as 'Dew Cure' when the Chepauk surface was relaid prior to the T20 World Cup. Dew Cure is already a staple at Major League Baseball venues in the US, where it is used to maintain consistent playing conditions. To prepare for the upcoming fixture, crews have been mixing the chemical with water and spraying it across the outfield during the evening hours on both February 24 and February 25.

The final phase of the application is scheduled for February 26th afternoon, ensuring the treatment is fully absorbed and effective by the time the match begins. With the toss set for 6:30 PM IST and play commencing thirty minutes later, the grounds team is working against the clock to ensure that the heavy evening humidity does not unfairly influence the outcome of the game.

Following their extensive training session on February 25, the Suryakumar Yadav-led Team India squad remained at the stadium specifically to monitor how the moisture levels developed on the field. Their observation was a success; reports indicate that the team was satisfied with the ground conditions, suggesting that the Dew Cure application is performing as intended.

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Dew Cure to be used in IPL 2026 too?

The success of this chemical treatment has sparked discussions about its future use in the tournament. While not yet officially confirmed, there is growing speculation that the Dew Cure could be deployed for the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals and final. Furthermore, the BCCI is reportedly considering a mandate to implement the product across all venues for the upcoming IPL 2026 season to ensure uniform playing conditions.