Ahmedabad: The countdown has begun for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which will be hosted by India for the first time since 2011. The cricket fans are eagerly waiting for the mega event, especially the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan, which will take place in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, the world’s largest cricket stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium, is also undergoing preparations for the tournament. A video of the stadium’s progress has gone viral on social media.
The stadium has a VIP room, which can accommodate up to 76 guests. The stadium has a seating capacity of 134,000 spectators and covers an area of 63 acres. It has four dressing rooms, six indoor practice pitches, three outdoor practice fields, and an indoor cricket academy. The stadium also boasts state-of-the-art facilities such as LED floodlights, a 360-degree podium concourse, and a cricket museum.
The Narendra Modi Stadium will host the opening match of the World Cup on October 5, where England and New Zealand will face each other in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final. Both teams are among the top contenders for the title and have a balanced squad of experienced and young players. The match is expected to be a thrilling contest between two quality sides.
The stadium will also host the most anticipated match of the tournament on October 14, when India and Pakistan will renew their rivalry on the cricket field. The match will be a blockbuster event that will attract millions of viewers from both countries and across the world. The match will also be crucial for both teams’ chances of qualifying for the semifinals, as they are placed in a tough group along with Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and a qualifier team.
The stadium will also host two more group matches – England vs Australia on November 4 and South Africa vs Afghanistan on November 10. The final match of the tournament will also be played at the same venue on November 19, where the two best teams will battle it out for the coveted trophy.
The BCCI is leaving no stone unturned in promoting the World Cup and inviting prominent personalities to witness the matches. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah presented a golden ticket to superstar Rajinikanth, who will be a special guest at the World Cup. Earlier, legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar also received the golden ticket from Shah. The golden ticket will allow them to enter the stadium without any hassle and enjoy the matches.
India has announced its 15-member squad for the World Cup, which is led by Rohit Sharma. The squad has a mix of experienced and young players who have performed well in recent matches. Virat Kohli, who stepped down as captain after the T20 World Cup 2022, will play as a batsman. Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul will share the wicketkeeping duties, while Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shardul Thakur will provide the all-round options. Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj will form the bowling attack.
India’s 15-member squad for World Cup 2023:
Batsmen: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav
Wicketkeeper: Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul
All-rounder: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
