The second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati will have a strange schedule because the sun rises and sets early. The BCCI decided that players would have tea first, then lunch, to fit with the local conditions. Day-night Tests usually have this, but the Guwahati Test is a day Test.
The Test, which starts on November 22, is the first Test match to be held in Guwahati. The city recently hosted a number of women’s ODI World Cup matches. The unusual schedule was caused by the quickly fading light in the northeastern city.
This change was made because Guwahati has unusual daylight hours, which ensures the match is played in the best possible conditions. The BCCI’s choice is meant to make the most of the time it has.
India-South Africa Guwahati Test starts on November 22:
The Test, which starts on November 22, will be the first Test match in Guwahati. The city recently hosted a number of women’s ODI World Cup matches. Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI and a native of Guwahati, said that the Test would start half an hour earlier than usual for red-ball Tests in India. The first Test in Kolkata will start at 9:30 a.m. IST.
The toss in Guwahati will take place at 8:30 a.m. IST. The first session will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a 20-minute tea break. The last session will end by 4 pm, and lunch will be between 1:20 and 2:00 pm.
According to Saikia, having lunch at 11 after the end of the first session would have been too early for players, and hence the BCCI decided to tweak the session timings.
“It is a practical decision, In winters, sunrise and sunset are very early here in northeast India. By 4pm 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.” Saikia told ESPNcricinfo.
The series starts Friday at Eden Gardens, where a special gold-plated coin, with the insignia of BCCI and Cricket South Africa on each side, will be used at the toss.
