India's Assistant Coach Analyzes Two-Ball Rule Ahead of ODI Decider Against South Africa

As the India vs South Africa ODI series reaches its decisive match, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate sheds light on the two-ball rule's implications, particularly in dew conditions. With the series tied at 1-1, he emphasizes the importance of adapting to challenges rather than complaining. The Indian team, led by standout performances from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, aims to secure victory in the final match. Discover more about the strategic discussions and insights from the coaching staff as they prepare for this crucial encounter.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 6, 2025, 02:13 IST

Insights on the Two-Ball Rule

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], December 5: As the India vs South Africa ODI series reaches its climax, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate shared his thoughts on the implications of the two-ball rule, especially in relation to dew conditions.

With the series currently tied at 1-1, the final match is scheduled for Saturday in Visakhapatnam.

The two-ball rule in ODIs allows for the use of two new balls during an innings—one from each end of the pitch—rather than relying on a single ball throughout. This approach helps maintain consistent swing, bounce, and hardness over time, ensuring fairness and minimizing the impact of a worn ball during the middle overs.

During a pre-match press conference, ten Doeschate pointed out that while using a single ball after 34 overs allows it to wear and soften, in conditions with dew, the ball becomes wetter. Changing it results in a harder ball, which contradicts the intention behind using just one.

He stated, "Logically, the purpose of switching to one ball after 34 overs is to allow it to wear and soften. However, when dew is present, one ball becomes wetter. The umpires have been accommodating with ball changes, but this leads to a harder ball, which defeats the purpose of using a single ball."

Ten Doeschate commended the Indian bowling team for their proactive approach to overcoming challenges instead of voicing complaints, highlighting their sense of accountability.

"What has impressed me about this group is their acknowledgment of the challenges. I haven't heard any complaints; instead, we focus on finding solutions to these issues," he remarked.

In the ongoing ODI series, India secured victory in the first match against South Africa by 17 runs, thanks to a stellar 135 from Virat Kohli. However, despite Kohli's impressive century in the second match, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad's first hundred, India fell short against South Africa, losing by four wickets, with Aiden Markram's century playing a crucial role.