Follow UsThere will be a unique phenomenon taking place in the second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati, as not only will the match start at 9.00 AM, 30 minutes earlier than the usual starting time of Tests in India, but the players will also be taking Tea before Lunch.
According to an Indian Express report, both India and South Africa have agreed to the revised timings, which is a byproduct of early sunrise and sunset in the Northeastern part of the country.
“The reason to have early tea is because Guwahati witnesses early sunset and there is 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 BCCI source told Indian Express.
According to the report, the players will have a 20-minute break from 11.00 AM to 11.20 AM after the end of the first session. Then, they will break for lunch at 1.20 PM, and the play will end by 4 PM. There will, of course, be the usual 30-minute extension should the two sides not get in 90 overs by 4 PM.
Early starts are pretty common for Ranji Trophy matches in the Northeast. Some games tend to start as early as 8.30 AM.
‘Tea’ before ‘Lunch’ is not a new phenomenon, as in the initial day/night Test matches in Australia, players took a 20-minute ‘Tea’ break before an extended 40-minute Dinner break. However, it’s a relatively rare occurrence in a day Test match.
The two-Test series between India and South Africa will start on November 14 in Kolkata. The second Test will be played in Guwahati from November 22.