The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the 2023 World Cup schedule after the conclusion of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). According to The Indian Express, the prestigious tournament is expected to commence on October 5, with multiple cities across the country being shortlisted as venues, including Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Rajkot, Indore, Dharamshala, and Chennai.
Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has emerged as the frontrunner to host the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match. This will be the first encounter between the two arch-rivals India and Pakistan on Indian soil since 2016. The stadium, with a seating capacity of 1 lakh, is the largest in the country and is expected to attract a significant number of fans traveling from abroad.
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The Indian team has requested that fixtures against top teams like Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa be held at venues with slow pitches to maximize home advantage. Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium is likely to host the India vs Australia match, while the other matches will be played in centers with slow pitches.
Pakistan is set to play the majority of their matches in Chennai and Bengaluru due to security concerns, while Bangladesh is likely to play most of their matches in Kolkata and Guwahati, reducing travel distances for fans from the neighboring country.
India has played a significant role in the history of the Cricket World Cup by hosting the prestigious tournament on three separate occasions. The events were often co-hosted with neighboring countries, showcasing the spirit of collaboration and camaraderie among South Asian nations.
The fourth edition of the Cricket World Cup, in 1987, marked the first time the tournament was held outside of England. India and Pakistan jointly hosted the event from October 8 to November 8, 1987. The Australian team emerged victorious, defeating England in the final held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India.
Nearly a decade later, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka came together to host the sixth edition of the tournament from February 14 to March 17, 1996. This World Cup saw Sri Lanka secure their first-ever title, besting Australia in the final played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.
In the tenth edition of the Cricket World Cup, India joined forces with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to host the event from February 19 to April 2, 2011. India emerged as the champions, defeating Sri Lanka in the final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India. This victory marked India’s second World Cup title, with their first win in 1983.
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India’s experience hosting the Cricket World Cup has not only brought excitement and joy to millions of fans but also showcased the nation’s dedication to the sport. The events have fostered strong relationships among the participating countries and demonstrated India’s capacity to organize large-scale international sporting events.
With the 2023 World Cup fast approaching, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to exciting matches and an unforgettable tournament.
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