- By Gurmeet Batra
- Tue, 11 Nov 2025 11:42 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs SA Guwahati Test: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has justified its unconventional decision to swap the traditional 'Tea' and 'Lunch' breaks during India vs South Africa Test in Guwahati due to the region's early sunrise and sunset.
The second Test of the series will be played from November 22-26 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
As per ESPNcricinfo, the Guwahati Test will feature a modified break schedule, with tea preceding lunch, a move deemed 'practical' due to the region's distinctive daylight hours. The tea will be served after the morning session, followed by lunch between the second and third sessions.
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Guwahati's early sunrise and sunset have led to a changed start time, with the Test beginning at 9 am IST, 30 minutes earlier than usual.
Play will finish at 4 pm, with a possible extension to 4:30 pm, temperature allowing. A normal schedule would have pushed lunch too early, given the 9 am start.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia cited the early start time, stating that a first break at 11 am would have made lunch at that hour impracticable for the players.
"It is a practical decision. In winters, sunrise and sunset are very early here in north-east India. By 4pm 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," Saikia said, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.
As per the plan in Guwahati, the toss will take place at 8:30 am IST, with the opening session running from 9:00 to 11:00 am. A 20-minute tea break will be taken before play resumes for the second session from 11:20 am to 1:20 pm. Lunch will then be served between 1:20 and 2:00 pm, with the final session to end by 4:00 pm.