Explained: Why tea will be taken before lunch in 2nd IND vs SA 2025 Test in Guwahati

India are all set to take on South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati in the second Test of the two-match series starting Saturday, November 22. While the first Test in Kolkata began at 9:30 AM, the Guwahati Test will start at 9:00 AM. The decision was taken by the BCCI in an endeavor to counter fast-fading light in north-east India during winter.

The first session of play in the Guwahati Test will last from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. After this, instead of lunch, a 20-minute tea break will be taken. The second session will be played from 11:20 AM to 1:20 PM and will be followed by a 40-minute lunch break. The last session in the second India vs South Africa Test will start at 2:00 PM and conclude at 4:00 PM, unless the extra half-hour is needed.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo a few days back, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who himself is from Guwahati, explained that having lunch at 11:00 AM would have been too early for the players and hence a decision was made to tweak the session timings. The BCCI secretary commented:

"It is a practical decision. In winters, sunrise and sunset are very early here in north-east 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."

The sunset timing of Day 1 of the India vs South Africa Test in Guwahati is 4:31 PM IST. The sunset timings for the remaining four days of the Test match are also approximately the same.

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India need to beat South Africa in Guwahati to avoid another home series loss

South Africa stunned India by 30 runs in the first Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata to take the crucial 1-0 lead in the series. Batting first after winning the toss, they were bowled out for 159 in 55 overs as Jasprit Bumrah claimed 5-27. However, Proteas off spinner Simon Harmer claimed 4-30 as India were bowled out for 189 in response, gaining a small lead of 30.

An unbeaten 55 by the resolute Temba Bavuma in the second innings took the visitors to 153. India were set a target of 124 to win the first Test. However, they crumbled to 93 all-out in 35 overs as Harmer again starred with 4-21. India have now lost four of their last six home Tests. They suffered an embarrassing 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand last year.

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Edited by Renin Wilben Albert