Explained: What is dew factor in cricket and how it affects matches?

Cricket is one such sport where conditions vary from one venue to the other and even between day and night at the same ground. Hence, players have to acclimatise themselves to the wide range of factors which affect the outcome of a match. One of the most talked about phenomenon in cricket is the ‘dew factor’.

It refers to the effect of dew (moisture that forms on the ground and grass during the evening or night) on playing conditions. It remains one of the most challenging issues to counter for teams, especially in ODI and T20I cricket played under floodlights.

How is dew formed?

After the sun sets, the ground cools, and if the air is humid and temperatures drop enough, water vapour condenses into tiny droplets on the grass, outfield and the pitch. Hence, whenever the ball travels through the outfield, it gets soaked in the moisture, which makes it difficult for the bowlers to grip.

As a result, they fail to deliver it accurately, missing their line and length. It also affects the overall seam and swing movement as the wet ball can’t grip the pitch or air effectively. Spinners get affected the most by dew, since they rely heavily on finger or wrist grip to generate turn, but the moisture makes the ball slip out of their hands.

Hence, after winning the toss, captains often choose to bowl first in day/night matches to take the maximum advantage of batting under dew in the second innings.

Methods to reduce dew factor

During the T20 World Cup 2026, a special type of chemical called ‘Dew Cure’ was used in the tournament to minimise the effect of dew on match results. It was also used during the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026). The chemical, imported from the United States, is already used in Major League Baseball and on golf courses. 

Touted as a potential game-changer, the liquid is diluted with water and sprayed across the outfield before play. It creates a water-resistant coating on the grass blades, preventing the buildup of dew and guttation while allowing moisture to seep into the soil. The result is a drier ball and more consistent playing conditions throughout both innings.

Apart from that, super soppers and rope dry methods are also used by the ground staff during breaks to absorb the dew on the ground.