In a first for the 148-year history of Test cricket, the second Test between India and South Africa at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium will feature the tea break before lunch. Traditionally, Test days follow a fixed schedule of toss, first session, lunch, second session, tea, and final session. However, due to local conditions and sunlight timing in Assam, the BCCI and Cricket South Africa have decided to flip the usual sequence, creating extra playing time in the afternoon.
The Guwahati Test, which started with South Africa batting after winning the toss, saw openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton putting together a solid start. By the time the first session concluded, South Africa were 82 for 1 in 26.5 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah taking the wicket of Markram just before the tea interval.
The decision to serve tea before lunch stems from Assam’s geographical location. Guwahati, situated near 90°E longitude, experiences earlier sunrises and sunsets compared to western Indian cities like Mumbai and Delhi, yet follows Indian Standard Time, which is set for 82.5°E. With the onset of winter, the sun sets around 4:30 pm, making it crucial to adjust break times so that the minimum number of overs are bowled without losing play due to fading light. 
Under the new schedule, the day in Guwahati is structured as follows: the first session runs from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a 20-minute tea break from 11:00 am to 11:20 am. The second session is from 11:20 am to 1:20 pm, after which players will have a 40-minute lunch break until 2:00 pm. The final session will then continue until 4:00 pm, with a possible extension to 4:30 pm if needed.
A BCCI official explained that the change is fully within ICC rules, which only specify the duration of lunch and tea breaks but allow flexibility in their sequencing, provided the total break time remains consistent. While day-night Tests have previously experimented with similar adjustments, this is the first time such a change has been implemented in a regular day Test.
Players have reacted to the change with interest. Indian batter Sai Sudharsan commented humorously that he already drinks tea during lunch and is excited to try the new routine. South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj accepted the decision, noting it helps maximize playing time in tricky light conditions. Opener Aiden Markram, however, admitted he is not fully comfortable with the new timing but acknowledged that players must adapt.
Adding to the historic nature of the match, Rishabh Pant is making his debut as India’s Test captain, stepping in for Shubman Gill, who has been ruled out due to a neck injury. Pant becomes only the second designated wicketkeeper to lead India in Test cricket after MS Dhoni.
With the Barsapara Stadium now officially India’s 30th Test venue, the Guwahati Test will be remembered not only for runs and wickets but also for rewriting cricket tradition. By taking tea before lunch, the match highlights how practical considerations like daylight and geography can influence the sport’s oldest format, creating a small but historic first in the long history of Test cricket.
