The 2023 ODI World Cup is set to begin on October 15. Cricket fans will witness 48 matches in the tournament. Eight teams have already qualified in the tournament via the World Super League. Sri Lanka and the Netherlands grabbed their spot after a successful campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
All eyes will be on the home team India since the Men in Blue won the trophy last time the World Cup was played in India. The team is yet to be announced, but Rohit Sharma is set to lead. The likes of Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, etc., make India one of the favourites to lift the trophy a third time.
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India’s Schedule at the 2023 World Cup
India begins its campaign against Australia in Chennai on October 8. Afghanistan is the home side’s opponent in its second match at Arun Jaitley Stadium on October 11. Narendra Modi Stadium hosts the most anticipated fixture against Pakistan on October 15.
Fellow Asian side Bangladesh awaits India at MCA Stadium, Pune, on October 19. In a repeat of the 2019 World Cup semi-fINal, Rohit Sharma’s men will take on New Zealand at Dharamsala on October 22. The fixture against defending Champions, England, will be played in Lucknow on October 29.
India will meet the Netherlands, South Africa, and Sri Lanka in their final three fixtures in the group stage. Wankhede, Eden Gardens, and Chinnaswamy Stadium will host those fixtures.
Here are the full fixtures:
DATE | FIXTURE | VENUE | Time |
October 8 | India vs Australia | Chennai | 2:00 PM |
October 11 | India vs Afghanistan | Delhi | 2:00 PM |
October 15 | India vs Pakistan | Ahmedabad | 2:00 PM |
October 19 | India vs Bangladesh | Pune | 2:00 PM |
October 22 | India vs New Zealand | Dharamsala | 2:00 PM |
October 29 | India vs England | Lucknow | 2:00 PM |
November 2 | India vs Qualifier 2 | Mumbai | 2:00 PM |
November 5 | India vs South Africa | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
November 11 | India vs Qualifier 1 | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
So these are the clashes and dates you must consider if you plan to visit the stadium to cheer for Team India.
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What Happens If India Reaches Semi-final?
The two semi-finals take place in Mumbai and Kolkata. Due to security reasons, Pakistan will play in Kolkata, which means India will play at Eden Gardens if they set up a clash with their arch-rivals.
Why is the 2023 World Cup A Big Deal for India?
India last won an ICC trophy ten years ago, so this World Cup matters. Let’s highlight three reasons why the 2023 World Cup is a must-win for India.
- No Silverware: As mentioned above, it was in 2013 that India won an ICC Trophy. Under MS Dhoni, India won the ICC Champions Trophy beating England in the final. A decade has passed, and India is yet to win a major ICC trophy. Rohit Sharma and his team will have a big opportunity this time at home to get their hands on an ICC Trophy.
- Swansong for Seniors: Senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are already approaching fag end of their careers. Chances are that some of them will retire after the World Cup. This list also includes players like Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami, who might give way to young Indian players once the 2023 World Cup ends. So, this will be the final chance for these players to lift the trophy and end their careers on a high.
- Point to Prove: Rohit Sharma has a point to prove. Under his captaincy, India recently failed to win two big trophies – the 2022 T20 World Cup and the World Test Championship Final 2023. In both these events, Rohit’s captaincy had several chinks in the armor. Moreover, India lost the games badly as they showed no resistance.
Concluding Thoughts
India has a tricky set of fixtures early in the tournament, as the two-time champions take on Australia and Pakistan within their first three fixtures. Rohit and his team must give their best to seal a place in the last four.