Sports Desk, 6 May: Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the first match between India and Pakistan in Indian territory since 2016. It is learnt that the BCCI will make the 50-over World Cup schedule official during the Gala launch after the End of the Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL 2023). The 50-over World Cup will start from October 5 if everything goes according to plan. Narendra Modi Stadium is the world’s largest cricket stadium with 1 Lakh seats.
Apart from Ahmedabad for the World Cup, cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamsala, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Indore, Rajkot and Mumbai are also on the shortlist. A total of 48 matches including three knockout rounds will be played during the entire duration of the 46-day tournament.
Only seven of the venues mentioned earlier will actually host league matches in India. If India make it to the final, Ahmedabad will probably be the only place where they will play two matches.
According to reports, Pakistan may play the most matches in Bengaluru and Chennai due to security reasons. Eden Gardens in Kolkata is another possible location.
The majority of Bangladesh’s matches will probably be held in Kolkata and Guwahati to facilitate the journey of supporters of neighbouring countries. The BCCI plans to wrap up the matches in the southern region of the country before the first week of November due to the October and November monsoons.
Reportedly, apart from Pakistan the BCCI also spoke to the management of the Indian team and sought their suggestions for the venues. According to reliable sources, the Indian team requested that matches against Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa be played in stadiums supporting spinners.