The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made changes to the session timings for the second Test of the two-match series against South Africa, which will be held in Guwahati next month. Notably, it will be the first Test match at the Barsapara Stadium, and there will be a tea break before lunch.
After completing their ongoing tour of Australia, India will quickly shift their focus to a home series against South Africa.
The Proteas will visit for a full tour comprising two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is. It’s worth noting that the two Tests are part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Your daily dose of cricket!
The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by the second and final match at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati from November 22.
Guwahati Test to Witness Change as Players Take Tea Before Lunch
According to a report in The Indian Express, the second Test in Guwahati will witness a change in playing hours due to the region’s early sunrise and sunset. For the first time in Test cricket history, players will take a tea break before lunch.
The BCCI and Cricket South Africa have approved this revised schedule. Notably, the report added that the match will begin at 9:00 AM, half an hour earlier than the usual start time in India. The first session will be played from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, followed by a 20-minute tea break.
It was reported that the second session will be held from 11:20 AM to 1:20 PM, and players will take a 40-minute lunch break. The final session is scheduled from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, with a possible 30-minute extension 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. Ranji Trophy matches in the Northeast also begin early, sometimes around 8:30 AM, due to limited daylight hours in the region.
“The reason to have early tea is that Guwahati witnesses early sunset, and there is an early start too. This will be the first time we have decided to change the Tea session as time will be saved to get extra game time on the field,” a source on the board 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 pm to 2 pm
Third session: 2 pm to 4 pm
Why is the Change in Breaks being Taken?
Test matches in India usually start at 9:30 AM, with play divided into three sessions separated by lunch and tea breaks. However, the Guwahati Test will see a rare reversal of this format, where players will take tea before lunch, something seen only in day-night Tests held in Australia.
Match officials aim to ensure 90 overs are completed each day, similar to how start times vary across countries like England due to different daylight hours.
With India currently third and South Africa fourth in the World Test Championship standings, both teams will be eager to secure vital points in their race to the top, where Australia currently leads the table.
Also read: Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians tenure ends? Report reveals KKR move reality
