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Aiden Markram criticizes BCCI’s tea-before-lunch plan for the Guwahati Test in Assam, while Keshav Maharaj accepts the change.
Barsapara Stadium (PTI Photo)
South Africa’s Aiden Markram is ‘not a fan’ of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s unique plan of having the tea break before lunch in the second Test at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. He feels that Test cricket shouldn’t play around with its timings and traditions, hoping ‘it doesn’t become a common thing’.
Considering it’s the first Test in Assam, a North-Eastern State in India where the sun sets quicker than most of the country, the match will begin at 9 am IST, half an hour before the usual 9:30 start, and will see its first break from 11-11:20 am for Tea instead of the 40-minute one for Lunch. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who is from Assam, said the switch was made because having the Lunch break at 11 am would have been ‘too early’.
“It’s interesting,” Markram said, as quoted by PTI. “I’m not the biggest fan of it, to be honest. I think Test cricket should always start at 10 a.m. with lunch followed by tea. But those are the cards you’re dealt, and you just get on with it. It’ll be something different to experience, but hopefully, it doesn’t become a common thing.”
Spinner Keshav Maharaj was more forgiving.
“We actually heard about it recently. It’s an interesting one, but you can understand the thinking behind it. Sunlight becomes a factor, so they’re trying to maximise playing time. We respect the rules put in place, and we’re here to compete and give our best as a South African unit,” he said.
The Test begins on November 22 on what is likely to be a red-soil pitch, with turn to offer from the first few days itself. South Africa lead the series 1-0, having beaten India by 30 runs at the Eden Gardens.
India need the win not only to avoid a second home whitewash in three rubbers but also for crucial World Test Championship points — a competition where the Proteas are the defending champions.
November 20, 2025, 17:37 IST
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