Guwahati: In a historic moment for Northeast India, Assam is set to host its first-ever men’s Test match, with India taking on South Africa in the second Test of the series from November 22 at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium. The confirmation was issued by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia on Saturday, marking a major milestone for cricket in the region.
Speaking after a meeting with the Bokakhat District Sports Association at Bokakhat Stadium, Saikia announced a special match timetable adapted to Assam’s shorter winter daylight hours. The Test will begin early at 9:00 AM and conclude at 4:00 PM. In a first-of-its-kind decision for Test cricket, the traditional lunch and tea breaks will be reversed, with players taking tea before lunch.
Saikia detailed that the opening session will run from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, followed by a 20-minute tea break. The second session will continue from 11:20 AM to 1:20 PM, after which lunch will be served. He explained that Guwahati’s winter pattern of early sunrises and even earlier sunsets made this adjustment both practical and unavoidable.
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The reversal of breaks had initially caused confusion when reports indicated that the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) was yet to receive formal communication from the BCCI while discussions were underway.
Highlighting Assam’s rising stature in Indian cricket, Saikia noted that Guwahati has hosted IPL matches for three consecutive seasons and is expected to host two to three more IPL games next year, continuing its association as a “second home ground” for the Rajasthan Royals.
With Barsapara Stadium now joining India’s elite list of Test venues, the upcoming match marks a transformative chapter for cricket in the Northeast and positions Guwahati prominently on the country’s sporting map.
