The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a special adjustment to the playing schedule for the upcoming second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati. Due to the region’s early sunrise and sunset, players will have tea before lunch.
Normally, a Test match follows the sequence of lunch, tea, and stumps, with tea being the shorter break between the afternoon and evening sessions. The match will also begin 30 minutes earlier than usual for red-ball fixtures in India.
"It is a practical decision," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told ESPNcricinfo.
"In winters, sunrise and sunset are very early here in north-east India. By 4 pm the (day)light recedes and you can't play much after. Because of that we have decided to start early, so play will start at 9 am," he said.
The first Test of the two-match series between India and South Africa will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata starting on November 14 before the action shifts to Guwahati for the second game scheduled to commence on November 22. Notably, the Test match in Guwahati will be the first-ever Test match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.