Five key matches at 2023 ODI World Cup

Although all 45 group-stage games hold importance, there are five matches that will have all the attention of the fans.

Five key matches at 2023 ODI World Cup

Five key matches at 2023 ODI World Cup (Images via ICC and The Guardian)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the full schedule for the 2023 ODI World Cup on Tuesday (27 June). The quadrennial showpiece event will kick off on 5 October with England and New Zealand locking horns against each other. Meanwhile, hosts India will be facing Australia in their campaign opener on 8 October. 

A total of 48 matches spread across 46 days will be played with the summit clash scheduled for 19 November. Ten teams will go against each other in a round-robin format with the top four progressing to the knockout stage. 

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But before the important matches, there will be a lot of action on offer for the fans in the group stage itself. With top teams around the globe rubbing shoulders against each other, thrilling encounters will be on the cards. 

Also Read: “I am sure he will score a lot of runs,” Virender Sehwag imposes faith in THIS SUPERSTAR to win the 2023 ODI World Cup for India

List of Five high-stake Encounters at World Cup

Although all 45 group-stage games hold importance, there are five matches that will have all the attention of the fans. Check out the list below. 

England vs New Zealand, 5 October, Ahmedabad

eng vs nz world cup
England vs New Zealand at 2019 World Cup

The very first game of the 2023 ODI World Cup promises to be a thrilling contest with it being a rematch of the 2019 World Cup Final. The defending champions England will take on New Zealand at the world’s largest stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium. The Kiwis will look to avenge the defeat at the final and kick off their campaign on a high. 

Meanwhile, England, who have been playing some aggressive brand of cricket as of late, will look to ease past the Kiwis. It will be a great spectacle for the 1 lakh fans present at the stadium. 

India vs Australia, 8 October, Chennai

india vs australia
India vs Australia (Image via ESPN)

India’s opening match at the 2023 ODI World Cup will be against the five-time champions Australia. The two teams will square off against each other at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. It is expected to be a thrilling contest considering the nature of the wicket at the Chepauk. The last time the two teams played an ODI match here, India lost while chasing. 

Now, it will be interesting to see if the Rohit Sharma-led team is able to avenge that defeat or if Australia will topple India again to derail their campaign straightaway. 

Australia vs England, 4 November, Ahmedabad

aus vs eng
AUS vs ENG (Image via Cricinfo)

Five-time champions Australia against defending champions England will be a high-stake encounter for sure. The two world-class teams have been fierce rivals in the past and hence it will be interesting to see the two heavyweights going against each other at the jam-packed stadium. England have been a dominant force in the past while Australia have the knack of producing unbelievable results in such big tournaments. The two teams are also counted among the favorites to make it to the knockout stage.

India vs New Zealand, 22 October, Dharamshala

ind vs nz
India vs New Zealand at 2019 WC (Image via News18)

No Indian cricket team can forget the defeat in the 2019 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand. The Kiwis shattered billions of Indian hearts when they defeated India in a rain-curtailed game. It hurts till date to the Indian fans. Now, as the Men in Blue have finally got a chance to avenge that defeat, it is going to be a thrilling affair. 

The conditions at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala will aid the swing bowlers and the Indian batters will be put to the test yet again. It will be interesting to see if India manages to settle scores against the Kiwis or if it is going to be another heartbreak for the ICT fans. 

India vs Pakistan, 15 October, Ahmedabad

ind vs pak
IND vs PAK (Image via HT)

Matches may come and matches may go for India vs Pakistan will reign supreme forever. The most-awaited clash of the 2023 ODI World Cup will come alive on 15 October when India will walk out at the Narendra Modi Stadium against their arch-rivals in front of a packed Motera. The Indian fans will hope for MCG 2.0 while Pakistan will look to break the jinx of not defeating India in a World Cup.

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