The Cricket World Cup is set to commence with defending champions England facing New Zealand in the opening game, launching a marathon tournament that holds the fate of the 50-over format in its hands.

Mark Nicholas, the newly appointed president of the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), the custodians of the sport’s laws, expressed his belief in the exclusivity of ODIs (One-Day Internationals) being reserved for World Cups. He stated that bilateral ODIs are struggling to fill stadiums in many countries, attributing the phenomenon to the overwhelming allure of T20 cricket.

The high-speed, power-packed nature of Twenty20 cricket has relegated ODIs to a secondary role in the cricketing landscape. Ian Chappell, former Australia captain, noted that ODIs often hinge on World Cup years for their significance.

The current World Cup features only 10 teams but spans 45 days. In contrast, the Twenty20 World Cup in 2024 will include 20 nations in a tournament condensed into four weeks. Additionally, T20 cricket is poised to become an Olympic sport for 2028.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson believes that T20 and 50-over cricket can coexist. He views the ODI World Cup as a premier event worthy of participation and engagement.

England captain Jos Buttler, leading his team into action at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, stressed that they don’t feel the burden of defending the title. Instead, they embrace the fresh start and harbor ambitious dreams.

As the Cricket World Cup kicks off on Thursday, India emerges as a formidable contender, seeking its third World Cup triumph. The nation carries with it a growing global self-assurance, while cricket, a sport that unites and divides the subcontinent like no other, stands on the verge of joining the Olympic elite.

Security tensions compelled Pakistan’s warm-up match with New Zealand to be played behind closed doors in a silent 55,000-capacity stadium. Torrential rain further complicated matters, with two warm-up games washed out completely and a third shortened due to overs reduction.

The opening and final matches will be held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket arena with over 130,000 seats. Mahatma Gandhi’s former home city, Ahmedabad, is speculated as a potential host for the 2036 Olympics.

Cricket, including the shorter T20 format, may soon become an Olympic sport at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, pending approval at the International Olympic Committee meeting in Mumbai this month.

Also Read: “India’s Cricket Legends Question KL Rahul’s Asia Cup Selection”

India’s growth on the international stage, coupled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts, positions the country as a global player. Despite human rights concerns, Modi is courted by the West as a counterbalance to Beijing. His Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to win the upcoming general election by a significant margin.

For South Africa, the Cricket World Cup has remained a tantalizing dream, consistently slipping through their grasp. Over the years, they’ve earned the unenviable tag of “chokers” after a string of disappointments on the grand stage. As they set foot in India for the latest edition, the weight of expectations has lessened, and they hope to emerge as surprise contenders.

South Africa boasts genuine match-winners in their lineup—players capable of illuminating the biggest stages. However, the pressing question is whether they possess a cohesive team, from player one to eleven, capable of consistent performances in the challenging conditions of India.

Having reached the semifinals four times in eight World Cup appearances, South Africa remains a force to be reckoned with. While they shouldn’t be dismissed as title contenders, they now wear the cloak of dark horses rather than being the frontrunners.

The bitter memory of a shock exit in last year’s Twenty20 World Cup, courtesy of a loss to the Netherlands, still lingers heavily on the shoulders of captain Temba Bavuma. He emphasizes the need for heightened awareness and a steadfast focus on the present moment to avoid complacency.

The recent home series victory over Australia, recovering from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2, showcased South Africa’s potential. Yet, it also highlighted their vexing inconsistency—a trait they must overcome for World Cup success.

The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, hosted by India from October 5 to November 19, will feature ten teams competing for the coveted title. The participating teams are:

1. Australia
2. Bangladesh
3. England
4. India
5. Ireland
6. New Zealand
7. Pakistan
8. South Africa
9. Sri Lanka
10. West Indies
11. Blockbuster Opener

The tournament will kick off with a blockbuster clash between the 2019 finalists England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5.

SuperSport will be broadcasting all 48 matches of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 live on SuperSport Cricket, Grandstand, and Action channels. The broadcast feed will include:

30-minute build-up featuring the live toss, captains’ interviews, pitch report, and team/player features
Change of innings interval programme, including a review of the first innings and a preview of the second
Wrap-up show including the captains’ chat, a brief round-up of the match, and a look ahead to the next match
Previous Winners

The cricketing world is abuzz as the 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup approaches, with teams gearing up for the grand event. Australia and Netherlands have already set foot in India, where the tournament is scheduled to kick off on October 5, culminating in the final on November 19. This World Cup on home soil presents a golden opportunity for the Indian cricket team to end their decade-long quest for an ICC trophy, led by captain Rohit Sharma.

While powerhouses like India, Australia, England, and Pakistan are among the favorites, the smaller teams, such as the Netherlands, are not to be underestimated. These underdogs have the potential to upset even the strongest opponents on their day. Recently, the Netherlands team advertised for net bowlers, and they’ve found their talent pool from different corners of India.

Among these net bowlers is Lokesh Kumar, a Swiggy food delivery executive hailing from Chennai. Lokesh, who previously played in the fifth division for four years, has now registered with the fourth division outfit Indian Oil RO (S&RC) for the current season. His journey took an unexpected turn when he was selected by the Netherlands team to serve as a net bowler ahead of the Cricket World Cup. “I played in the fifth division for four years. I have registered with fourth division outfit Indian Oil RO (S&RC) for the current season. After being picked by the Netherlands team as a net bowler, I feel my talent has been recognized,” Lokesh shared.

The anticipation is building as the Cricket World Cup approaches, with all eyes fixed on the leadership of Rohit Sharma and the Indian cricket team. The memories of India’s historic triumph in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, led by MS Dhoni, still bring joy to billions of cricket fans. It marked India’s second ODI Cricket World Cup victory, with the first being under the leadership of Kapil Dev in 1983. As the Cricket World Cup commences on October 5, cricket enthusiasts have high hopes for Rohit Sharma’s team, which includes cricket legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Before the tournament kicks off, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a video featuring the Indian cricket team, leading many fans to speculate that it reveals the official jersey for the Cricket World Cup. The jersey showcased in the video boasts tricolored stripes on the shoulder, a departure from the three white stripes seen on India’s attire during the Asia Cup.

On Monday, legendary Indian all-rounder and World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev expressed his admiration for the Indian cricket team, particularly fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who played a pivotal role in India’s victory in the eighth Asia Cup title match against Sri Lanka. Mohammed Siraj’s outstanding performance led to the Lankan side being bowled out for a mere 50 runs in just 15.2 overs, thanks to his remarkable figures of 6/21.

Kapil Dev commended Siraj’s performance, saying, “Do you think I need to say anything more than what people are saying. What a fantastic cricket being played. I think as a cricketer I would like to see much closer games towards the World Cup but I think as a player dismiss them for 30 runs and win. But as a spectator, I would say it would be better if the game is close.”

Kapil Dev further highlighted the dominance of fast bowlers in the sub-continent, stating, “I am so happy that in the sub-continent all 10 wickets are being taken by our fast bowlers. I think that it is the cherry on the cake. There was a time when we used to depend on spinners but it is not anymore. That is why the team has become so good.”