World Cup 2023: Hosts India set to face arch-rivals Pakistan as per draft schedule
India are expected to kickstart their World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8.
With just less than four months to go in the ODI World Cup scheduled to be played in India, the excitement amongst fans is at an all-time high but since the schedule for the same hasn't been announced yet they have to wait to book tickets accordingly.
Although the World Cup schedule is anticipated to be released this week, the draft schedule is already out.
As per the draft schedule, India will take on opponents at nine various venues and begin their campaign on October 8 against Australia in Chennai. The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan game is slated to be played on October 15 at the iconic Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.
The final of the ODI World Cup 2023 will also be held at the same venue. However, the semi-finals, which are scheduled to be played on November 15 and 16, do not have an exact venue designated as per the draft schedule and reported by ESPNcricinfo.
India's World Cup schedule as per draft schedule:
| DATE | MATCH | VENUE |
| Oct-08 | Ind vs Aus | Chennai |
| Oct-11 | Ind vs Afg | Delhi |
| Oct-15 | Ind vs Pak | Ahmedabad |
| Oct-19 | Ind vs Ban | Pune |
| Oct-22 | Ind vs NZ | Dharamsala |
| Oct-29 | Ind vs Eng | Lucknow |
| Nov-02 | Ind vs qualifier | Mumbai |
| Nov-05 | Ind vs SA | Kolkata |
| Nov-11 | Ind vs qualifier | Bengaluru |
In the league phase, Pakistan has encounters slated at five distinct venues.
| DATE | MATCH | VENUE |
| Oct-6 | Pakistan vs qualifier | Hyderabad |
| Oct-12 | Pakistan vs qualifier | Hyderabad |
| Oct-15 | Pakistan vs India | Ahmedabad |
| Oct-20 | Pakistan vs Australia | Bengaluru |
| Oct-23 | Pakistan vs Afghanistan | Chennai |
| Oct-27 | Pakistan vs South Africa | Chennai |
| Oct-31 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Kolkata |
| Nov-05 | Pakistan vs New Zealand | Bengaluru |
| Nov-12 | Pakistan vs England | Kolkata |
Notable prominent encounters also include Australia vs New Zealand on October 29 in Dharamsala, Australia vs England on November 4 in Ahmedabad and New Zealand vs South Africa on November 1 in Pune.
Considering that the World Cup will kick off within four months, there has been a noteworthy delay in the unveiling of the schedule. The schedule was decided more than a year in advance for both of the previous editions, which took place in 2015 and 2019. Meanwhile, there will be two teams participating from the forthcoming ICC ODI World Cup Qualifiers, which will be held in Zimbabwe.
Download Our App