The upcoming India-South Africa Test match in Guwahati will have an unusual schedule where players will take their tea before their lunch.
This sudden change has created immense curiosity among fans, but there is a simple reason behind it. The weather in Assam, especially in the mornings, is very humid with a lot of moisture in the air and even on the ground.
Because of this, the field often remains wet for a longer time, and the pitch also behaves very differently early in the day.
In such conditions, starting the match with the usual long first session could be the reason that would cause safety issues.
Players may slip on the damp outfield, and even the bowlers may struggle with their run-up. To avoid these risks, match officials have also decided to reshuffle the session timings.
Instead of playing a long morning session and then taking their lunch at their usual time, they will instead take a short break for tea earlier. This gives the ground more time to dry and would also help to create safer playing conditions.
Another reason for the timing change is the dew factor.
In Guwahati, mornings often have heavy dew that stays until late morning. This also affects the ball’s movement and even makes batting for the player much tougher in the first hour.
By adjusting the schedule, officials thus hope to reduce the morning advantage for bowlers and make the match fair for both teams.
The ICC also allows such changes when local conditions demand it, and the Guwahati ground staff also recommended this plan.
The goal is to ensure the mechanism of smooth play without unnecessary delays. Fans may find the new timing strange, but it is a practical decision that keeps player safety first.
Overall, the early tea break is simply a smart adjustment to the unique climate of Guwahati, helping the match run without problems and giving both teams a fair chance on the field.
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