With the long-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 schedule finally out, Indian cricket fans can benefit from a rare opportunity to follow the much-loved duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on their possible last-ever 50-over World Cup run. A true Bharat Darshan could thus be arranged for yourself; a trip down the length of India, taking in the glorious spectacle of cricket while also touching on the rich culture and history of the cities boasting the sporting action. Each venue here is significant not just to the tournament but to its host city—and it is these peculiar histories that fuel the excitement for the World Cup.
- Chennai – The City of Yuvraj’s Glory
India’s World Cup journey commences in Chennai, a city in which iconic cricketing moments have been witnessed over time. The MA Chidambaram Stadium, with its passionate crowd and heavy atmosphere, will host the opening match. Chennai will remain forever etched in the memories of fans of the 2011 World Cup, where Yuvraj Singh’s dazzling knock against Ireland amazed everyone. His century here set the stage for a most glorious run in the tournament, and it was this very international innings that carried him to greater heights of recognition amongst cricketers, the Player of the Tournament title. As Rohit Sharma entertains Australia on October 9, fans will hold on to fine hopes from none other than Virat Kohli—an innings to remember and set the tone for a possible knockout charge. - Delhi – The Long and Winding Road with Upheavals and Spin
India’s next match would involve Afghanistan being played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This stadium has been home to many exhilarating matches, and now, turning this new stage into another classic spin war is a prospect sure to hold spectators in rapt anticipation. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad will put up stiff competition for the Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Delhi has seen terrific cricketing history and many upsets. One of the more famed examples occurred when, during the 1996 World Cup, Tendulkar scored a hundred in Delhi, but Shrikant and Junat’s surprise win with Sanath Jayasuriya leading was another manifestation of wonderful cricket. Fast and aggressive, Sri Lanka turned out like a team using the modern-day Bazball. Now onward is yet another chapter of cricket history being unwritten in the city of Delhi. - Ahmedabad-Ultimate Showdown
From here, it’s the ICC World Cup running over to Ahmedabad, where the biggest game in cricket will be staged-Indo-Pak. This match is more than just a match; it is a cultural and political spectacle, with millions of fans waiting for it. Alive and thriving at the world’s largest cricket stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium, the game will see immense pressure, supported by a turnout of over 100,000 emotional fanatics. Last Friends’ day, here, would be vividly etched in the minds of fans as India winning over Australia in a 2011 World Cup match. With Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid representing India, this will be an exciting chapter in the history of the World Cup, and political tension only adds spice to the show.
The venue for the India-Bangladesh contest is Pune, where cricket fans know that Bangladesh has given India trouble in ICC tournaments. Who can forget that shock defeat in 2007 or the close call during the 2015 World Cup when India just about evaded a Bangladeshi onslaught? Slated at MCA Stadium, it will be nothing short of riveting, with Bangladesh arriving in form. The growing stature of this team will test India’s resilience especially with the bat.
The beautiful and scenic hill resort of Dharamsala is going to host a match that promises to burn with passion and intensity. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is arguably the most picturesque cricket pitch in India and hosts phenomenal views of the Dhauladhar mountains on the ground. Adding up to the beautiful vistas, and memories of the 2019 World Cup semi-final heartache against New Zealand, which haunt many players, including Virat Kohli, the Indian team could raise the ante out of passion. The match promises to be a visual treat for the fans as much as for the players against the backdrops of Dharamsala. - Lucknow – Culinary and Cricketing Extravaganza
We are nearing the end of October, with India clashing with England in the royal city of Lucknow. An epicentre of history and gastronomy, the Ekkana Stadium in Lucknow will host this all-important day-night encounter. Kebabs and the rich heritage of the Mughals-that’s how Lucknow aptly combines cricket and culture! Backing up its defending World Cup champion status with batting fireworks, England will take on India, who will aim to use its strong home advantage to show who’s boss. A great carnival spirit combined with an equally intense match will guarantee each one of us moments to cherish. - Kolkata – Passion at Eden Gardens
Kolkata’s Eden Gardens needs no introduction. The iconic Eden Gardens, referred to as the spiritual home of cricket in India, will be hosting the match between India and South Africa on November 5. The weather in early November, with the city in transition to winter, will giving an opportunity to sample the best of Kolkata’s food, culture, and the electric atmosphere of its passionate crowd. Eden Gardens fans are famously loyal, so we can expect it to come alive for Rohit Sharma and his team as they look to push on in the World Cup with a victory. - Mumbai-the Semifinal Dream at Wankhede
In the event that India enters the semifinals, they will then take the next step towards the Wankhede Stadium, an iconic venue in Mumbai that has found its space in Indian cricket history with time. It is this very ground where India brought home the prestigious Trophy in 2011. That great victory remains fresh in the memories of millions of fans. For Rohit Sharma, who missed out on the 2011 campaign because of an injury, the venue shall provide an opportunity to etch his name in the history of Indian cricket as the team aims to pocket yet another glorious legacy of World Cup triumphs in Mumbai.
If India can make it to the last four, then the next stop will be at iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, a venue that, over the years, has secured its place in Indian cricket history. It was here that India lifted the World Cup in 2011, and that unforgettable victory remains etched in the memories of millions of fans. For Rohit, who missed the 2011 campaign through injury, the ground would offer a chance for him to establish himself in the annals of Indian cricket as India attempts to add to the glorious legacy of World Cup triumphs in Mumbai. - The Grand Finale at Narendra Modi Stadium
The final match of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad unless something goes terribly wrong. The journey, where it all started, will end in this huge stadium, boasting the largest size in the world, where high-voltage yet much-awaited match of the tournament would take place and, needless to say, with such stakes, it would be electric out there. Given that stakes are this high, with a third World Cup victory at stake for India, one can say that this could mark a huge event in the country’s cricketing history.
Last Words
Cricket World Cup 2023 will be a journey the audience will cherish as it transports them from one Indian city to another, where each venue has its own tales, its own charm, and tribulations. More than the game alone, this is about experiencing the culture, the history, and the passion handed down to us from each city. For Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and the rest of the Indian cricket team, this is probably their last chance at World Cup glory, having spent ten years without a title, and it is an account that fans will not forget in a hurry.
