The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the ICC 50-over World Cup, scheduled for October-November, will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
This will mark the first time these two arch-rivals face each other on Indian soil since 2016. The stadium, with a seating capacity of 100,000, is the largest in India and has been selected in anticipation of a significant number of fans traveling from abroad for the match.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plans to announce the World Cup schedule with a grand launch after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The tournament will begin on October 5, with matches being held at venues in Nagpur, Bengaluru, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Rajkot, Indore, Bengaluru, and Dharamshala.
However, only seven venues will host India’s league matches, with Ahmedabad being the only venue where India might play two matches if they reach the final. Pakistan and Bangladesh are likely to play most of their matches in Chennai, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and Kolkata, respectively.
The BCCI has consulted the Indian team management to understand their preferences for venues, apart from the match against Pakistan. The team has requested pitches that favor spinners for fixtures against Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa, as they believe slow pitches provide a home advantage.
Although the state units have submitted their desired venues to the BCCI, the final decision on match allotment rests with the board. There is a strong possibility that Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium will host India’s match against Australia, while other centers with slow pitches will host games against New Zealand, England, and South Africa.
To enhance the stadium infrastructure across the country before the World Cup, the BCCI has allocated over Rs. 500 crore. Upgrading existing facilities, including clean toilets, easy access, and well-maintained seats, is a top priority for the BCCI following recent criticism regarding the condition of stadiums.
