ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is going to kick off with an exciting match between the current champions, England, and the runner-up in the 2019 edition of the World Cup, New Zealand. The game will take place at the world’s largest stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. India will play its first match against the five-time winners Australia on 8th October 2023 at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. A total of 48 matches are scheduled to be played in the tournament, with the victor being crowned on 19th November 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. ICC has revealed the full squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup, and there are a few matches which are awaited more than a few others by cricket enthusiasts all around the globe.
World Cup 2023 Schedule
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 5 | England vs New Zealand | Ahmedabad | 2:00 PM |
| October 6 | Pakistan vs Qualifier 1 | Hyderabad | 2:00 PM |
| October 7 | Bangladesh vs Afghanistan | Dharamsala | 10:30 AM |
| October 7 | South Africa vs Qualifier 2 | Delhi | 2:00 PM |
| October 8 | India vs Australia | Chennai | 2:00 PM |
| October 9 | New Zealand vs Qualifier 1 | Hyderabad | 2:00 PM |
| October 10 | England vs Bangladesh | Dharamsala | 10:30 AM |
| October 10 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Hyderabad | 2:00 PM |
| October 11 | India vs Afghanistan | Delhi | 2:00 PM |
| October 12 | Pakistan vs Qualifier 2 | Hyderabad | 2:00 PM |
| October 12 | Australia vs South Africa | Lucknow | 2:00 PM |
| October 13 | New Zealand vs Bangladesh | Chennai | 2:00 PM |
| October 14 | India vs Pakistan | Ahmedabad | 2:00 PM |
| October 15 | England vs Afghanistan | Delhi | 2.00 PM |
| October 16 | Australia vs Qualifier 2 | Lucknow | 2:00 PM |
| October 17 | South Africa vs Qualifier 1 | Dharamsala | 2:00 PM |
| October 18 | New Zealand vs Afghanistan | Chennai | 2:00 PM |
| October 19 | India vs Bangladesh | Pune | 2:00 PM |
| October 20 | Australia vs Pakistan | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| October 21 | England vs South Africa | Mumbai | 10:30 AM |
| October 21 | Qualifier 1 vs Qualifier 2 | Lucknow | 2:00 PM |
| October 22 | India vs New Zealand | Dharamsala | 2:00 PM |
| October 23 | Pakistan vs Afghanistan | Chennai | 2:00 PM |
| October 24 | South Africa vs Bangladesh | Mumbai | 2:00 PM |
| October 25 | Australia vs Qualifier 1 | Delhi | 2:00 PM |
| October 26 | England vs Qualifier 2 | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| October 27 | Pakistan vs South Africa | Chennai | 2:00 PM |
| October 28 | Qualifier 1 vs Bangladesh | Kolkata | 10:30 AM |
| October 28 | Australia vs New Zealand | Dharamsala | 2:00 PM |
| October 29 | India vs England | Lucknow | 2:00 PM |
| October 30 | Afghanistan vs Qualifier 2 | Pune | 2:00 PM |
| October 31 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
| November 1 | New Zealand vs South Africa | Pune | 2:00 PM |
| November 2 | India vs Qualifier 2 | Mumbai | 2:00 PM |
| November 3 | Qualifier 1 vs Afghanistan | Lucknow | 2:00 PM |
| November 4 | England vs Australia | Ahmedabad | 10:30 AM |
| November 4 | New Zealand vs Pakistan | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| November 5 | India vs South Africa | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
| November 6 | Bangladesh vs Qualifier 2 | Delhi | 2:00 PM |
| November 7 | Australia vs Afghanistan | Mumbai | 2:00 PM |
| November 8 | England vs Qualifier 1 | Pune | 2:00 PM |
| November 9 | New Zealand vs Qualifier 2 | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| November 10 | South Africa vs Afghanistan | Ahmedabad | 2:00 PM |
| November 11 | India vs Qualifier 1 | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| November 11 | Australia vs Bangladesh | Pune | 2:00 PM |
| November 12 | England vs Pakistan | Kolkata | 10:30 AM |
| November 12 | India v Netherlands | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| November 15 | Semifinal 1 | Mumbai | 2:00 PM |
| November 16 | Semifinal 2 | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
| November 19 | Final | Ahmedabad | 2:00 PM |
Most Awaited Matches in World Cup 2023
1- India vs Pakistan
India vs Pakistan is the epic face-off of arch-rivals that is surely the most awaited encounter of the upcoming ODI World Cup. A lot of people can argue that the game is even bigger than a semi-final or final. A total of more than 1 Lakh people are going to be in attendance at the Narendra Modi Stadium to witness this epic clash. India vs Pakistan in CWC 2023 is expected to shatter all viewing records for a cricketing match ever. Recently, the India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2023 became the most streamed match online in India, and the World Cup is even bigger, so you could never really imagine the scope of the India vs Pakistan clash.
2- India vs Australia
The opening match of the host India is scheduled to be played against the five-time winners, Australia, at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. The hype for the World Cup is building up, and a lot of cricketing experts believe that India is going to face an even tougher challenge than Pakistan against Australia. Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Rohit Sharma, and many other popular faces of cricket will make this game memorable.
3- England vs New Zealand
England vs New Zealand is the opening match of World Cup 2023, and everyone is waiting for the action to kick off and mark the beginning of the cricketing spectacle for the next 48 days. Kane Williamson, who led the side in the 2019 World Cup final, will again be the captain of New Zealand and will look to finally take revenge on England for the 2019 World Cup final loss. On the other hand, England is stacked with power hitters and will go about their business in a fiery manner.
Also read: 7 Underrated Cricketers Who Will Surprise Everyone in Cricket World Cup 2023
4- England vs Australia
The two heavyweights of the cricketing world will face each other at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The venue is expected to be almost full for this game, and the electrifying atmosphere at the ground will make the match between the current champions and the five-time winners a great game to watch. There is never a dull moment in an England vs Australia clash, and this match in the World Cup 2023 is definitely one to watch out for.
5- India vs New Zealand
New Zealand somehow finds ways to beat India in the ICC tournaments. They have become the death bearers for India in the World Cups, and India would certainly look to beat them in the upcoming ODI World Cup. The rivalry between India and New Zealand is one of the most underrated ones in cricket. Both teams go all out and bring out the best in each other. India will look to get revenge for the World Cup 2019 semi-final loss, while New Zealand would want to continue dominating India in ICC tournaments.
