Guwahati: The upcoming second Test between India and South Africa, scheduled to begin on November 22 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, will feature an unprecedented twist — tea before lunch.
The fixture, which also marks Guwahati’s debut as India’s newest Test venue, will have its playing schedule adjusted to account for early sunsets in the eastern region of the country.
Why the Unusual Change?
Unlike most Indian venues, Guwahati lies on the country’s extreme eastern edge, where daylight fades earlier than in central or western regions. However, since India follows a single time zone (IST), match officials have had to alter the timings to maximize play under natural light.
To counter the early sunset, the day’s play will begin at 9:00 AM and conclude by 4:00 PM, with the following revised schedule:
First Session: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Second Session: 11:20 AM – 1:20 PM
Final Session: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (extendable to 4:30 PM if needed)
Tea Before Lunch — A First in International Cricket
Instead of the traditional order of lunch followed by tea, players in the Guwahati Test will take a 20-minute tea break first, followed by a 40-minute lunch break.
Cricket historians believe this could be the first instance in international cricket where the intervals are officially reversed.
ICC Rules Allow the Flexibility
Interestingly, the ICC Test Match Playing Conditions do not prohibit such a reversal. According to Section 11.2.1, lunch and tea intervals are defined by their duration — 40 minutes for lunch and 20 minutes for tea — but not by sequence.
With the mutual agreement of both boards and ICC approval, organizers can modify the session timings to suit local conditions — making Guwahati’s change perfectly legitimate.
A Unique Debut for Barsapara
As Guwahati gears up to host its first-ever Test, fans will witness not just top-tier cricket but also a fascinating scheduling innovation — one that blends tradition with practicality.
