Guwahati Test Changes Tea and Lunch Timing Tradition

The second Test match between India and South Africa in Guwahati will witness a rare and interesting change in cricket tradition. Players will have tea before lunch during the match. This special change has been introduced because of the early sunrise and sunset times in northeast India. The decision marks a historic moment as Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium prepares to host its first-ever Test match starting on November 22.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made this change after considering the region’s natural daylight hours. In winter, the sun rises and sets much earlier in the northeastern part of India compared to the rest of the country. As a result, daylight fades quickly by 4 pm, making it difficult to continue playing after that time. To manage this situation, officials decided to start play earlier and modify the break timings.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who is originally from Guwahati, explained that the step was purely practical. He shared with ESPNcricinfo, “In winters, sunrise and sunset are very early here in north-east India. By 4 pm the daylight recedes and you can't play much after. Because of that, we have decided to start early, so play will start at 9 am.” His statement reflects how local weather and daylight conditions directly influenced the new schedule.

The Guwahati Test will start half an hour earlier than the usual timing for red-ball matches in India. The first Test in Kolkata, scheduled from November 14 to 18, will begin at 9:30 am local time. But in Guwahati, the toss will take place at 8:30 am, and play will begin at 9:00 am. This adjustment will help players make full use of daylight and ensure the game finishes safely before it gets dark.

According to the new schedule, the first session will continue until 11:00 am, after which players will take a 20-minute tea break. Lunch will follow later, between 1:20 pm and 2:00 pm. The final session of the day will end by 4:00 pm, taking into account the quick loss of daylight in the region. This order of breaks is unusual in Test cricket, where lunch always comes before tea, but in Guwahati, it is being done the other way around to suit local conditions.

The city of Guwahati is full of excitement as it gets ready to host its first-ever Test match. Cricket fans in Assam have been waiting for this moment for many years. Barsapara Cricket Stadium has already hosted international white-ball matches, but this will be the first red-ball game at the venue. The stadium has modern facilities and a passionate local audience, which will make the experience even more special.

Both India and South Africa will have important players returning for this Test series. For India, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will make a much-awaited comeback after recovering from a foot fracture. His aggressive batting and positive energy will boost India’s middle order. On the other hand, South Africa will welcome back their captain Temba Bavuma, who has recovered from a calf injury. His return will strengthen South Africa’s batting lineup and leadership.

This two-match series is also significant for both teams in the World Test Championship (WTC) race. India is currently ranked third, while South Africa holds the fourth spot. Every win or loss can change the points table and affect their chances of qualifying for the final. Therefore, both sides will aim to perform strongly and gain an advantage in the standings.

Guwahati, located in the northeast corner of India, experiences unique daylight hours compared to cities like Mumbai or Delhi. During winter, the sun rises as early as 5:30 am and sets before 5:00 pm. This shorter daylight period is one of the key reasons why the BCCI decided to adjust the timing of the match and the meal breaks. It ensures that players can make the most of the available sunlight without facing poor visibility in the late afternoon.

With the special timing adjustment and the return of star players, the Guwahati Test promises to be a memorable event. Fans will witness not only top-quality cricket but also a rare scheduling change that shows how the sport can adapt to local conditions. As Guwahati marks its entry into the list of Indian Test venues, the city will celebrate a proud moment in its cricketing journey.