What’s Happening — and Why It’s Historic
In a historic move, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has decided to flip nearly 150 years of Test cricket tradition in the second Test between India and South Africa — by scheduling the tea break before lunch.
Usually, in Test cricket, the order is: play → lunch → second session → tea → final session. But in Guwahati, the day is structured as: toss → tea → lunch → play → stumps.
This is officially the first time in 148 years of Test cricket that this sequence has been changed in a regular day game.
Why Did BCCI Do This?
The main reason is geography and sunlight:
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Guwahati is located far to the east (around 90°E longitude), which means its “solar time” is ahead of many other parts of India, even though the whole country follows Indian Standard Time (which is based on 82.5°E).
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Because of this, the sun rises and sets earlier there compared to, say, Delhi or Mumbai.
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Early sunsets are a concern: by late afternoon, light can fade, making it difficult to complete all the overs fairly.
To maximize match time, BCCI and Cricket South Africa agreed to start the day early, at 9:00 AM, and finish by around 4:00 PM.
Here’s the revised session schedule:
| Session | Time (Guwahati Test) |
|---|---|
| 1st Session | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Tea Break | 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM |
| 2nd Session | 11:20 AM – 1:20 PM |
| Lunch Break | 1:20 PM – 2:00 PM |
| Final Session | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (can extend up to 4:30 PM if light allows) |
Is It Allowed?
Yes — according to the ICC’s Test playing conditions, the duration of breaks (like lunch and tea) is fixed (e.g., 40 minutes for lunch, 20 minutes for tea), but how you use them within the day is flexible, as long as the total break time stays the same.
So, there’s no rule that says lunch must come before tea — BCCI just used that flexibility, with agreement from Cricket South Africa and under ICC framework.
Precedent — Has This Been Done Before?
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Interestingly, this isn't entirely new for Guwahati. In Ranji Trophy (India’s domestic first-class cricket), earlier-day matches in Guwahati have used a similar system, with tea before lunch, due to the same sunlight challenges.
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However, this is the first time it’s being done in a Test match.
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Some day-night (pink-ball) Tests have used non-traditional break structures (for example, shorter tea and longer “dinner” break), but this is different: Guwahati’s experiment is in a pure day Test.
Reactions: Players, Officials & Fans
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A BCCI official called the change practical, pointing out that lunch after the first session would’ve been “too early” for players.
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Sai Sudharsan (Indian batter) made a light-hearted comment: “I already drink tea during lunch.”
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Keshav Maharaj (South Africa) seemed to understand the logic, saying it helps “maximize playing time in tricky light.”
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Aiden Markram (South Africa opener) was less enthusiastic, saying he hopes this doesn’t become a standard rule, but acknowledged that players will have to adapt.
Why This Matters — Beyond Just Breaks
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Preserving Play Time: By shifting the break order and starting early, officials hope to avoid losing overs later in the day when light fades. This shows adaptability — they’re putting the quality of cricket first.
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Highlighting Regional Realities: This decision draws attention to the fact that “one-size-fits-all” scheduling doesn’t always work. India spans a wide longitude, but uses a single time zone — this has real implications, and cricket boards are having to adjust.
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A Historic First: Even if this remains a one-off, Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium will be remembered as the ground that changed a 148-year ritual of Test cricket. That’s no small footnote in cricket history.
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Potential Precedent: If this works well, other countries or boards might experiment with similar tweaks in extreme daylight conditions. It could open a broader conversation about scheduling and player welfare.
Possible Challenges & Criticisms
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Some might argue that changing tradition dilutes the “purity” or classical feel of Test cricket.
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Players used to the traditional rhythm might find the new structure odd — especially around eating, rest, and mental flow.
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If it becomes common, fans and broadcasters might push back — they’re used to “lunch first, tea later” as part of the daily narrative.
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There’s also a risk: if light still fades early, even with these changes, they might end up under-bowled days or more lost time than anticipated.
Final Thoughts
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The Guwahati Test is more than just a match — it’s an experiment.
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BCCI’s move to swap tea and lunch is not a gimmick: it’s a practical decision addressing real geographic constraints.
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Whether this becomes a trend or stays a one-off, it is a sign that cricket institutions are evolving, balancing tradition with the realities of modern logistics.
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For fans, it's a reminder that even in a sport as old as Test cricket, innovation can still find its place — sometimes, by simply rethinking when we sip tea.