ODI World Cup 2023: All you need to know about 10 iconic venues | Cricket News – Times of India
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The upcoming World Cup will feature a total of 10 teams. The tournament, scheduled to start on October 5, will be played in a round-robin format, with each team playing each other once.The top four teams will then progress to the semifinals, with the winners of those matches meeting in the final on November 19.
The tournament kicks off at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad with a thrilling rematch of the unforgettable 2019 final. Defending champions England will square off against New Zealand, who were the runners-up in the tournament four years ago.
Here’s your guide to all ten venues:
Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad)
The world’s largest sports stadium will take center stage for the tournament opener, a highly anticipated India vs Pakistan showdown, and will proudly host the climactic final of the World Cup.
With a staggering capacity of 132,000, this venue underwent significant renovations in 2021. It has a rich history of hosting major events, dating back to March 1987 when Sunil Gavaskar became the first batsman to surpass the 10,000-Test run milestone at this iconic location.
In more recent times, the stadium has been the backdrop for IPL (Indian Premier League) finals and played a pivotal role in the 2011 World Cup when India, the host nation, ended Australia’s streak of reaching the final in every ODI World Cup since 1996.
M Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bengaluru)
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its relatively compact boundary sizes of approximately 65 meters, is poised to witness some of the most high-scoring innings in the tournament.
Memories of records being shattered are evoked, reminiscent of the 2011 World Cup when Kevin O’Brien delivered a blistering performance, registering the fastest hundred in an ODI World Cup with just 50 balls. In an astonishing feat, Ireland successfully chased down a target of 328 to defeat England.
Furthermore, the stadium has served as the home of the National Cricket Academy since 2000, nurturing and honing some of the most exceptional Indian cricket talent witnessed in this century.
MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai)
Located adjacent to the Indian Ocean, the MA Chidambaram Stadium will offer one of the most humid climates among all the tournament venues.
The stadium holds historical significance as well. In 1952, it was the site of India’s maiden victory in Test cricket, achieved when Vijay Hazare’s team triumphed over Donald Carr’s England.
Additionally, this iconic venue hosted the first-ever tied Test match in cricket history in 1986, with India facing off against Australia. Situated just two kilometers from the scenic Marina Beach, the stadium has witnessed many memorable moments in the world of cricket.
Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi)
The stadium is situated in the capital of the country and boasts one of the most historic venues.
In a memorable cricketing moment, Sachin Tendulkar achieved a significant milestone at this venue. He surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the most Test centuries by scoring his 35th ton in a match against Sri Lanka in 2005.
Historically, the stadium was known for producing slow pitches. However, thanks to a renovation of the playing surface, the pitch’s pace has significantly improved, resulting in more competitive and high-scoring matches.
HPCA Stadium (Dharamsala)
Nestled amid picturesque surroundings, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium is one of the more recent additions to India’s cricketing venues.
Since 2013, this stadium has become a consistent host for India’s international fixtures, starting with an ODI against England.
The stadium’s relatively small 64-meter boundary places fans in close proximity to the on-field action, setting the stage for high-scoring encounters. Expect fireworks in the opening game at this venue, where Afghanistan and Bangladesh are set to showcase their batting prowess.
Eden Gardens (Kolkata)
Prior to the extensive renovation of the Narendra Modi Stadium, the title of the largest venue in India was held by Eden Gardens, boasting a capacity of 68,000 spectators.
Eden Gardens holds a special place in cricket history as it was the first stadium in India to host a World Cup final in 1987, following the first three World Cup finals that took place at Lord’s in England.
The lively pitch and the breezy conditions around the Hooghly River make it an ideal setting for captivating ODI matches. Additionally, this iconic venue is primed to host thrilling World Cup semi-final clashes, adding to its rich cricketing legacy.
Ekana Cricket Stadium (Lucknow)
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, established in 2017, has seen limited international cricket action so far. However, the conditions at the venue are now perfectly suited for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Significant improvements have been made to the playing surface since it became the home ground for the Lucknow Super Giants.
A historic moment is on the horizon as the stadium prepares to host its inaugural World Cup fixture, featuring a clash between Australia and South Africa on October 12. Cricket fans can look forward to witnessing history in the making at this promising venue during the tournament.
Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai)
India’s renowned ‘cricket capital’ boasts yet another colossal venue that will play a crucial role as the host for one of the semi-finals. This venue, with its distinctive red-soil pitch, has been a witness to some of cricket’s most monumental feats since its establishment in 1974.
From Sachin Tendulkar’s masterful innings during the 1996 Men’s Cricket World Cup to left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel’s remarkable bowling figures of 10/119 for New Zealand against India, the stadium has a rich history of providing cricket enthusiasts with unforgettable and magical moments.
MCA International Stadium, Pune
Nestled in a serene location on the outskirts of Pune, this stadium made its international debut when India faced England in 2012, eventually earning Test status in 2016.
Known for its capacity to produce high-scoring matches, both players and fans are drawn to the stadium, which can accommodate 42,700 spectators.
On October 19, the hosts will engage in a thrilling encounter against Bangladesh, marking the stadium’s maiden fixture in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Anticipation is building for what promises to be a memorable match at this venue.
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium (Hyderabad)
Before the existence of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in 2005, all international cricket matches in Hyderabad took place at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium.
Over the span of 18 years, the stadium, with a capacity of 39,200, has witnessed a remarkable surge in popularity. It has played a pivotal role in the rise of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, a team that has firmly established itself as a formidable force in the IPL for nearly a decade.
During the month of October, the stadium is set to host three matches, with one of the notable fixtures being the clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on October 12. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing thrilling encounters at this iconic venue.
