Cricket is getting a rare makeover in Guwahati! The second India vs South Africa Test match is set to flip tradition on its head with tea being served before lunch – a scheduling anomaly that’s raising eyebrows across the cricketing world.
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Why the Unusual Schedule Change?
The BCCI has taken this special decision due to early sunrise and fast-fading light in north-east India. Guwahati, located in the far eastern part of India, experiences dramatically early sunsets during November, with daylight receding by 4 PM.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who hails from Guwahati, confirmed the Test would start half an hour earlier than the norm for red-ball Tests in India, ensuring maximum playing time before darkness sets in.
India vs South Africa: Match Timing Breakdown
| Session | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Toss | 8:30 AM IST | – |
| First Session | 9:00 – 11:00 AM | 2 hours |
| Tea Break | 11:00 – 11:20 AM | 20 minutes |
| Second Session | 11:20 AM – 1:20 PM | 2 hours |
| Lunch Break | 1:20 – 2:00 PM | 40 minutes |
| Final Session | 2:00 – 4:00 PM | 2 hours |
Extra half-hour available if needed to complete 90 overs
A Historic First for Guwahati
The Test, which starts from November 22, will be the first Test match in Guwahati at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The venue recently hosted several matches during the Women’s ODI World Cup, proving its capability to handle high-profile international cricket.
This scheduling innovation isn’t entirely unprecedented. Tea prior to lunch is a routine followed in day-night Tests, but this marks the first time such adjustments have been made for a traditional day Test in India due to geographical considerations.
What It Means for Players
The early start at 9 AM brings both advantages and challenges. Players will need to adjust their warm-up routines and prepare for morning conditions that differ significantly from standard Test cricket scheduling. The compressed timeline ensures that quality cricket isn’t compromised despite the environmental constraints.
Both Cricket South Africa and the BCCI have mutually agreed to this arrangement, prioritizing gameplay over tradition.
More Cricket Action
For comprehensive coverage of this historic series, check out our India vs South Africa Test series preview and stay updated with live cricket scores and analysis throughout the tournament.
The first Test begins November 14 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, with the groundbreaking Guwahati Test following on November 22.
FAQs
Why is tea being served before lunch in the Guwahati Test?
Due to Guwahati’s location in north-east India, the city experiences very early sunsets in November (around 4 PM). To maximize playing time and complete 90 overs, the match starts at 9 AM with tea at 11 AM, followed by lunch at 1:20 PM.
Has this ever happened before in Test cricket history?
While tea before lunch is standard in day-night Tests, this is the first time a traditional day Test match in India has reversed the break sequence due to geographical and climatic factors. The BCCI has previously used similar timing adjustments for Ranji Trophy matches in the region.
