The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 schedule has been announced, and it promises an exciting tournament for cricket fans worldwide. The tournament will be held in India from October 5 to November 19, featuring matches in various cities nationwide.
The opening match will be played between England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5. This clash between two formidable teams will set the stage for the thrilling competition.
As the host nation, India will begin their campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai. This match will be a challenging test for the Indian team, as they face a strong Australian side right from the start. Additionally, the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match will occur on October 15 in Ahmedabad, adding extra excitement to the tournament.
The match venues selected include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamsala, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Pune. Each city will provide a unique cricketing atmosphere, offering fans an unforgettable experience as they witness the matches live.
Cricketing legends Muttiah Muralitharan, Geoff Allardyce, and Virender Sehwag have gathered at St Regis, Mumbai, for the World Cup fixture announcement. During the event, Sehwag shared his predictions for the tournament, naming Australia, England, Pakistan, and India as the semi-finalists.
Reflecting on the memories of the ICC ODI World Cup 2011, Sehwag recalled how the Indian team managed to win the trophy, despite having some senior players with injuries, providing opportunities to young talents. He mentioned how Virat Kohli took the responsibility of carrying the legendary Sachin Tendulkar on his shoulders, metaphorically, during crucial tournament moments.
Virender Sehwag said, “Virat Kohli is very much similar to Sachin Tendulkar. He steps up at big stages more than any other youngsters”.
Sehwag also praised Kohli, stating that the Indian captain has a similar ability to step up on big stages, just like Tendulkar did in his prime.
“I wouldn’t say king…” Centurion Batter Challenges Virat Kohli
Furthermore, Sehwag shared an interesting anecdote about MS Dhoni’s diet during the 2011 World Cup, mentioning that the former captain consumed only khichdi (a traditional Indian dish) throughout the tournament, highlighting the superstitions players often develop during such prestigious events.
He said, “We were old, having shoulder injury, Dhoni having knee issues so we give the opportunity to the youngster and Kohli took Sachin in his shoulder (smiles). MS Dhoni ate only khichdi throughout the 2011 World Cup. Everyone was being superstitious for the event.”
