The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has changed the timing of the session for the second Test of the two-match series against South Africa to be held in Guwahati next month. It is noteworthy that this will be the first test match at Barsapara Stadium and there will be a tea break before lunch.
After completing their current tour of Australia, India will soon turn their attention to the home series against South Africa.
The Proteas will embark on a full tour which will include two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is. It is worth noting that the two Tests are part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by the second and final match at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati from November 22.
Change seen in Guwahati Test when players drank tea before lunch
According to a report in The Indian Express, the second Test in Guwahati will see a change in playing hours due to early sunrise and sunset in the region. For the first time in Test cricket history, players will take a tea break before lunch.
BCCI and Cricket South Africa have approved this revised schedule. Notably, the report states that the match will start at 9:00 AM, half an hour earlier than the usual start time in India. The first session will be played from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a 20-minute tea break.
It was told that the second session will be from 11:20 am to 1:20 pm and the players will take a 40-minute lunch break. The final session is scheduled from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with a 30-minute extension possible to complete 90 overs.
India vs South Africa Guwahati Test session timings
The revised session timings for the Guwahati Test were mutually agreed upon by the BCCI and Cricket South Africa. Due to limited daylight hours in the region, Ranji Trophy matches in the Northeast also start early, sometimes around 8:30 am.
“The reason for the early tea is that in Guwahati the sunset is early and the start is also early. This will be the first time we have decided to change the tea session as getting extra playing time on the field will save time,” a board source told the national daily.
First session: 9 am to 11 am
Tea break: 11 am to 11:20 am
Second session: 11:20 am to 1:20 pm
Lunch break: 1:20 to 2 pm
Third session: 2 pm to 4 pm
Why are changes being made to the brakes?
Test matches in India usually start at 9:30 am, with play divided into three sessions followed by a lunch and tea break. However, the Guwahati Test will see a rare reversal of the format, where players will take tea before lunch, something only seen in day-night Tests in Australia.
Match officials aim to ensure that 90 overs are completed each day, similar to how countries such as England have different start times due to different hours of the day.
With India currently placed third and South Africa fourth in the World Test Championship standings, both teams will be keen to secure crucial points in the race to the top, with Australia currently topping the table.
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