The celebrated Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is set to be the stage for the kick-off, the iconic India-Pakistan and Australia-England encounters, and the grand finale of the much-anticipated men’s ODI World Cup, according to an official announcement made on Tuesday (June 27). This pronouncement was part of an ICC ceremony in Mumbai, marking ‘100 days to the World Cup’.
The tournament, held every four years, will maintain the structure utilised in the 2019 edition: ten teams will compete in a single-group phase, with the top four proceeding to the semi-finals.
The titanic battle between reigning champions England and New Zealand, a replay of the previous tournament’s final, will ignite the prestigious competition on October 5. The games will be played across ten distinguished venues: Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Pune, Dharamsala, and Lucknow, over a span of six and a half weeks. In total, the spectacle will encompass 48 games unfolding over 46 days. Only a handful of matches – six to be precise – will be day games (beginning at 10:30 IST), with the remaining fixtures set for a day-night format, commencing at 14:00 IST.
In the lead up to the main event, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram, along with Hyderabad, will be the locales for the warm-up matches from September 29 to October 3.
Mumbai’s famous Wankhede Stadium is set to host the first semi-final (No.1 v No.4) on November 15, before the baton passes to Eden Gardens in Kolkata for the second semi-final contest between the second and third-place teams the next day. Intriguingly, both these host cities have previously entertained World Cup semi-final and final battles in earlier iterations of the tournament. Consistent with the last edition, the semi-finals and final will be provided with a reserve day.
Double champions India will set their campaign in motion with a skirmish against five-time winners Australia in Chennai on October 8, followed by a contest with Afghanistan in Delhi on October 11. They will then gear up for a headline clash against their traditional rivals Pakistan on October 15. Under the stewardship of Rohit Sharma, the Indian side will journey across the nation during the league phase, playing a solitary game at each locale.
Aside from the hosts, seven other nations – New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and South Africa – have secured their direct entry to the World Cup courtesy of their top-eight finish in the Cricket World Cup Super League. The final two slots will be filled by the victors of the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers unfolding in Zimbabwe.
Indeed, this year’s tournament marks an exciting moment in cricket history, as it represents the 50th anniversary of the inaugural One Day International match. This landmark in the evolution of cricket adds an extra layer of prestige to the upcoming World Cup, underscoring the long and colourful history of the sport.
Notably, the tournament is expected to showcase a remarkable blend of seasoned players and rising stars. Cricket pundits worldwide are eager to see the performance of up-and-coming players in the limelight of such an international stage. Will they wilt under the pressure or seize the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on the sport? Only time will tell.
Moreover, the tournament brings a variety of playing conditions across the vast expanse of India. Each stadium offers unique playing conditions and atmospheres, ranging from the rapid pitch of the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to the spin-friendly conditions of Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. This variety is sure to challenge the adaptability of every team and add an extra dimension to the tournament.
Another point of interest is the recently implemented Super Over rule for tied matches. It will be fascinating to see if any match reaches this thrilling decider. The nail-biting Super Over rule, introduced following the unforgettable climax of the 2019 World Cup, could once again play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the tournament.
In addition, this tournament will see a greater push for technological advances in broadcasting, promising an immersive viewing experience for the fans. Innovations such as drone cameras, 360-degree replays, and ultra-motion cameras will be leveraged to offer unprecedented insights into the game.
Lastly, a new surge in fan engagement is expected with the introduction of fan zones in each city. These zones will host live screenings, provide memorabilia shops and conduct interactive sessions, making the event an unforgettable experience for cricket fans, whether they’re in the stands or on the streets.
