Guwahati, India – In an unprecedented move, the second Test match between India and South Africa, beginning November 22nd in Guwahati, โwill see a reversal of the traditional tea and lunch break timings due to the region’s unique daylight hours. Play at the Barsapara โCricket Stadium will commence atโฃ 9:00 am local time, with โa 20-minute tea breakโข scheduled for 11:00 am, followed by lunch between 1:20 pm and 2:00 pm.
The decision, announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is aโ practical response to the early sunrise andโค rapid โคsunset experienced in northeastโค India during the winter months. “It isโฃ indeed aโ practical โdecision,” explained BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia to ESPNcricinfo. “In winter, sunriseโข and sunset are very early here in northeast India. By โ4pm the daylight recedes and you can’t play much after. Because of that we have decided to start early, so play will start at 9am.”
this represents a departure from the usual โ9:30 am start time for red-ball Tests โฃin India, as seen in theโ first Test inโ Kolkataโ from โNovember 14-18. The toss for the Guwahati Test will be held at 8:30 am.
Both teams will welcomeโ back key players: Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, returning from โa foot fracture, and โฃSouth African captain Temba Bavuma, recovered from a calf injury.India currentlyโ holds third place in the World Test Championship standings, while South Africa is fourth.
Reuters