New Delhi | November 12, 2025. In a rare scheduling adjustment, the BCCI has announced that the second Guwahati Test Match of the India vs South Africa series will begin at 9:00 AM IST. The board decided to advance the match timing and switch the usual lunch–tea order due to early sunsets in the north-eastern region. The move aims to maximise playtime and ensure full use of available daylight, making the Guwahati Test Match a unique event in India’s cricket calendar.
What Changed and Why?
The Guwahati Test will see an earlier start and an unusual break sequence. Traditionally, Tests begin at 9:30 AM with lunch followed by tea, but this fixture will flip the format to adapt to shorter daylight hours.
Guwahati Test Match Session Timings
| Session | Time & Details |
| Toss | 8:30 AM IST |
| First Session | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Tea Break | 11:00 AM – 11:20 AM |
| Second Session | 11:20 AM – 1:20 PM |
| Lunch | 1:20 PM – 2:00 PM |
| Final Session | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Extra 30 min if required) |
According to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who hails from Assam, the change was essential because daylight fades by 4 PM during winter. He explained that natural light conditions in the region make it impossible to maintain traditional match hours without losing overs.
Impact on Players, Fans, and Broadcasts
The early start means players must adjust their pre‑match routines and warm‑ups to cooler morning conditions. For broadcasters, the shift offers better daylight coverage during peak viewing hours. Spectators, however, will need to adapt to an earlier reporting time, especially those attending from other parts of the country.
- Players: The early start means players must adjust their pre‑match warm‑ups and routines to cooler morning conditions.
- Fans: Spectators will need to arrive earlier, especially those travelling from nearby cities, to ensure they don’t miss the first session.
- Broadcasters: The timing shift provides better daylight coverage, aligning playtime with prime television and streaming hours.
- Venue Operations: Barsapara Stadium staff must coordinate logistics such as security checks, refreshments, and gate timings accordingly.
- Scheduling: This format may influence future fixtures in India’s north‑east, where natural light fades earlier than in other regions.
Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium Becomes Model for Future North-East Test Matches
The Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, hosting its first men’s Test match, will also serve as a model for future fixtures in India’s north‑east, where geographical daylight limitations often affect scheduling.
Why Does This Matters?
This adjustment represents a flexible and data‑driven approach to cricket scheduling by the BCCI. Instead of adhering to rigid traditional start times, the board is adapting to local conditions, ensuring fair play and complete utilisation of available daylight. Such scheduling innovations could set a precedent for other venues with unique climatic or geographical challenges.
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