A two-Test match series between India and South Africa is set to begin from November 14. The first Test match will be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The second Test will then start from November 22 in Guwahati. A major change may be seen in the Guwahati Test. In this Test match, the tea break will be scheduled before lunch. This is the first time such a thing is going to happen in India's Test cricket. There’s an important reason behind this.
Test matches are generally played in this order
First toss, then lunch, then tea break, and stumps (end of day's play)
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But in the second Test match between India and South Africa to be held in Guwahati from November 22, this order will change. According to a report by the Indian Express, for the first time, players will get a tea break before lunch. The reason for this is that sunrise and sunset occur early in eastern India.
At Guwahati's Barsapara Stadium, the first session will run from 9 AM to 11 AM. Then there will be a tea break from 11 AM to 11:20 AM. The second session will run from 11:20 AM to 1:20 PM. The lunch break will be from 1:20 PM to 2 PM. The third session will run from 2 PM to 4 PM.
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A BCCI official said, “The reason for having the tea break earlier is that sunset occurs early in Guwahati and play starts early. This is the first time we have decided to change the tea session, so that additional playing time can be obtained on the field”. In this way, the day's play in the second Test match will run from 9 AM to 4 PM.
In India, Test matches generally start from 9:30 AM. After a 40-minute lunch break (11:30 AM to 12:10 PM), the second session begins. After that, both teams take a 20-minute tea break (2:10 PM to 2:30 PM). The third session runs from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Match officials can provide an additional 30 minutes to complete 90 overs each day. Earlier too, the BCCI has made changes to session timings in Ranji Trophy matches, keeping sunset in mind.
