In a historic move that breaks with 148 years of tradition, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to hold the tea break before lunch during the second Test match between India and South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. This unusual decision has been made to maximize playing time, taking into account the unique geographical location of Guwahati and the early sunset in the region.
The second Test between India and South Africa began on Saturday, November 22, 2025. India, led by Rishabh Pant in the absence of Shubman Gill, is aiming to level the series after suffering a defeat in the first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. South Africa, currently leading the World Test Championship, seeks to secure a rare Test series win in India.
Guwahati, located in the far eastern part of India at approximately 90°E longitude, experiences earlier sunrise and sunset times compared to other Test venues in the country. Although the region follows Indian Standard Time (IST), which is set at 82.5°E longitude, the early fading of daylight can significantly impact the number of overs that can be bowled in a day. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained that the decision to start early was a practical one, as daylight recedes by 4 pm in the winter months in Northeast India.
To compensate for the limited daylight hours, the BCCI and Cricket South Africa mutually agreed to start the match at 9:00 AM, half an hour earlier than the usual start time for Test matches in India. To further optimize playing time, the decision was made to have tea before lunch, a move that has never been implemented in the 148-year history of Test cricket. The revised session timings for the Guwahati Test are as follows:
- 1st Session: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Tea Break: 11:00 AM to 11:20 AM
- 2nd Session: 11:20 AM to 1:20 PM
- Lunch Break: 1:20 PM to 2:00 PM
- 3rd Session: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (with a possible extension until 4:30 PM if light permits)
This adjustment ensures that the maximum game time is achieved, making the most of the available daylight. The decision has been met with mixed reactions from players. While some, like Indian batter Sai Sudharsan, are open to the change, others, such as South Africa opener Aiden Markram, prefer the traditional schedule. Markram expressed his hope that this alteration would not become a regular occurrence in Test cricket. Keshav Maharaj, the South African spinner, acknowledged the rationale behind the decision, recognizing that it was aimed at maximizing play given the sunlight conditions.
This Test match is a historic one for Guwahati, as it is the first time the city is hosting a Test match. The Barsapara Stadium becomes the 30th venue in India to host a red-ball international match. The series is crucial for India, who are looking to avoid a second consecutive home series loss after South Africa won the first Test by 30 runs.
The BCCI's decision to alter the traditional Test match schedule reflects a practical approach to address the challenges posed by geographical factors. By prioritizing playing time and adapting to local conditions, the board aims to ensure a fair contest between India and South Africa in this historic Test match at Guwahati.
