Cricket fans all over the world are eagerly awaiting the ODI World Cup 2023 schedule. Beginning on October 5, the prestigious tournament is scheduled to take place in India. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to disclose the tournament’s full schedule, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet finalised its schedule.
Due to India’s unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, the tournament has also been tarnished by controversy, as Pakistan has refused to travel to India. However, several modifications to the World Cup schedule have been released, according to reports.
According to Dainik Jagran, the opening encounter of the tournament will be between New Zealand and Australia, the five-time defending champions. Pakistan, which refused to play at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, will play most of their matches in Chennai and Hyderabad. However, the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match will occur in Ahmedabad.
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will host India’s other significant matches, including the one against Australia. In contrast, they will face England in Lucknow, which is scheduled to host five matches throughout the tournament.
Two teams have yet to be verified through the ICC World Cup qualifiers, which are scheduled to begin on June 18 in Zimbabwe. The event’s full schedule is likely to be released in the coming weeks, with the qualifiers for the tournament beginning on June 18 in Zimbabwe.
Will India overcome its trophy drought on home soil?
Notably, this will be India’s fourth time hosting the ODI World Cup, having previously hosted the tournament in 1987, 1996, and 2011. The Men in Blue reached the semi-finals of the 1987 and 1996 tournaments, whereas MS Dhoni led them to victory in the 2011 tournament.
Since their 2013 victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, India have not won an ICC title in over a decade. The upcoming tournament will therefore provide the ideal opportunity for the team to end its trophy drought on home soil.