India is all set to host the biggest tournament in ODI cricket, the ODI World Cup 2023, with the first match set to take place on October 5 with a game between the reigning champions and runners-up from the past edition, England and New Zealand. The 2011 World Cup winners will open their campaign on October 8, as they take on Australia in Chennai. However, the most awaited clash between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan will take place on October 15, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Also read: Which team India can face in semifinal of ODI World Cup 2023?
The Men in Blue will play at nine different venues all over India and will be the side to travel the most in the forthcoming tournament. Here are the three toughest games India will play in their upcoming schedule for the ODI World Cup 2023.
India vs Pakistan, October 15 (Ahmedabad)
India vs Pakistan is simply more than a game; the clash between the arch-rivals is full of emotions and needless to say, the game between the two neighbouring countries is undoubtedly one of the games that cricket fans from around the globe have their eyes on. India will host its neighbouring nation on October 15 at the world’s largest cricket stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Considering the magnitude of the game, it goes without saying that the hosts will have immense pressure. Pakistan is a solid team with several excelling records in the limited-overs version of the game, and the team will surely look forward to overturning their losing record against India.
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India vs Australia, October 8 (Chennai)
In their tournament opener, the hosts will take on the five-time ODI World Cup winners Australia in Chennai. The teams are familiar enough with each other, and hence there won’t be much the rivals won’t know about each other. India won’t wish for a better World Cup 2023 kick-off with a victory in the game, but the Aussies will be determined enough to make their statement on Indian soil.
The venue of the game, MA Chidambaram Stadium, which also happens to be the second oldest stadium in India is getting a huge overhaul ahead of the mega tournament. India haven’t been able to cross a total of 300 at the stadium yet, which clearly shows the kind of pitch they can anticipate. The host country has only managed to win four out of 12 games in the ODI World Cup against the Kangaroos, clearly depicting their dominance on the field.
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India vs New Zealand, October 22 (Dharamsala)
On October 22, the Indian team will lock horns with New Zealand at the most serene stadium of Dharamsala. Dharamsala is known for offering good assistance to seamers and hence, the two-time world cup winners will need to be careful of the Kiwi seamers. The Kiwis took down the Indian side in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, and if the conditions persist, the ‘Men in Blue’ might have a tough time. Along with this, the boundaries of the Dharamsala Stadium are quite short, which would assist the Kiwi batters to score a mammoth total.
