Guwahati Welcomes Test Cricket: A Historic Moment for Assam
Guwahati's Historic Test Match Debut
Guwahati: The vibrant city of Guwahati in Assam is poised to make history as it hosts its inaugural Test match this Saturday, featuring India against South Africa in the concluding game of their two-match series.
As the sole international cricket venue in the region, Guwahati, often referred to as the 'Gateway to the Northeast', had the honor of hosting ICC World Cup matches earlier this year.
The traditional red-ball cricket will unfold at the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Stadium located in the Barsapara area, with palpable excitement among organizers, cricket enthusiasts, journalists, and the local community ahead of the match.
"This is a monumental day for us. Being acknowledged as a Test venue is a dream come true for every cricket-loving region. And it’s happening tomorrow," expressed BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, a former first-class cricketer from Assam, on Friday.
"Guwahati has been hosting ODIs since 1983, and it also held World Cup matches during the ICC Women’s World Cup this year. The successful organization of these events and the enhancement of top-notch facilities have led to this proud moment for Guwahati," Saikia added.
Previously, international matches were held at Nehru Stadium, but the ACA transitioned to Barsapara in 2017.
The match is set to commence at 9 am, earlier than the usual 9:30 am start time at other Indian venues, to accommodate the region's early sunrise and sunset. This will also result in adjusted timings for lunch and tea breaks.
"The changes in timings and breaks are necessary due to local daylight conditions. We will continue the tradition of ringing the bell to signal the start of each day’s play," Saikia noted.
For veteran cricketer Bimal Bharali, who played for the state in the 1970s and 80s, witnessing a Test match in Guwahati is a dream realized.
"It was almost unimaginable during our era that Guwahati would host Tests. Facilities were quite basic back then. It’s fantastic that not only ODIs and T20Is but Tests have also arrived in our city," Bharali, who participated in a match against a visiting England team in 1976, remarked.
Local sports journalist Abdul Gani also shared his excitement about Guwahati being recognized as a Test venue.
"Guwahati has now become the 30th Test venue in India. As sports reporters, it’s a proud moment for us to cover and witness the oldest format of the game live," he stated.
"We have been reporting on international matches since they were held at Nehru Stadium, and we have seen significant infrastructure improvements, including the ground, media center, and stands," Gani added.
He emphasized that the enthusiastic crowd response to cricket matches, including IPL games where Guwahati serves as the second 'home' ground for the Rajasthan Royals, has bolstered the city’s cricketing reputation.
Young cricket fan Abhinash Kalita expressed his eagerness to watch live Test cricket, stating, "Test cricket has a unique charm. It’s a misconception that young people don’t follow this format. We will be enjoying the live action at the stadium."
Office-goer Ananya Baruah is particularly thrilled that the Test match starts on a weekend.
"I’ll be able to catch at least the first two days of the match. If possible, I’ll take leave for the remaining days, depending on how the match unfolds," she said, hoping India can bounce back after their defeat at Eden Gardens in the first Test.