The ICC World Cup 2023 schedule was released yesterday and it sees the hosts Indian team playing all of their nine matches at nine different venues. This means the Indian team will cover more than 9500 kilometers in all during the tournament in search of their third title in the 50-over format.
Their marquee matches against Pakistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa are to be the ones that will garner the most eyeballs and this means, the surfaces where these encounters will happen will also matter the most.
Therefore, here is a look at the pitches, on which India will play these five marquee matches in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 tournament.
INDIA v AUSTRALIA- CHENNAI, OCT 8
New LED lights are currently being placed in the light towers at the MA Chidambaram Stadium to complete the finishing touches. Additionally, the TNCA excavated the square and inserted two red soil pitches, one on each side. The hosts have played 14 matches since 1987 and have won half of them, with four of those coming in the most recent ten years. The stadium is the second-oldest in India.
India hasn’t reached a total of 300 at the stadium yet, which indicates the kind of pitch they may anticipate. India should be aware of the weather conditions since they played here earlier this year and lost to Australia. Dew might not have a significant impact on the game because it is still early October.
Teams prefer to bat first here after winning the toss.
INDIA V PAKISTAN- AHMEDABAD, OCT 15
The biggest and most awaited match of the ICC World Cup 2023 between India and Pakistan will be played in front of more than 1,25,000 fans in the biggest cricket stadium in the world, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The hosts have been playing at the venue since 1984 before it was renamed to what it is today and have won 10 of the 18 matches they have played here.
The hosts have played several games here in all formats since the stadium’s post-reconstruction opening, therefore they are the ones who know the circumstances best. Going with a flat surface may not be a bad idea for Rohit Sharma’s team, as bowling is Pakistan’s main strength.
INDIA V NEW ZEALAND- DHARAMSHALA, OCT 22
Given the circumstances, India may find this match challenging because the Black Caps may feel more at home. The scenic location, which is 1317m above sea level, has one of India’s fastest and springiest surfaces.
Therefore, it will be difficult to play the Kiwis, a team that India views as a pain in the flesh and who have a dangerous speed attack. It is one of India’s newest grounds; only four ODIs have been played there thus far, and the hosts have won two of them.
The afternoon start offers some relief for the batsmen, but with clouds hovering around, it will always be a venue where the think-tank has to be flexible with its approach. If the sun is out, batsmen can make merry as the ball travels long thanks to the high altitude.
INDIA V ENGLAND- LUCKNOW, OCT 29
The UPCA has relaid the square at the Ekana Stadium, another of the new venues, which hosts a high-profile match between the hosts and the defending champions after offering slow fields during the IPL.
Rain turned their lone ODI appearance against South Africa into a 40-over match, which they lost. India won’t know what to anticipate in terms of the weather, therefore. It is a major risk to relay a pitch this close to the World Cup, but it has been seen as necessary.
Due to the presence of black soil, spinners, and slowing down, the ball will be crucial. Given that it is still early in the winter, one must wait and see what sort of an effect dew has on this pitch.
INDIA V SOUTH AFRICA- KOLKATA, NOV 5
The iconic venue, which missed out on hosting an India fixture during the 2011 World Cup, will welcome South Africa back to the place where they played their first match since readmission in 1991.
The hosts have played 22 ODIs here and have won 13 of those. And since the onset of the millennium, in the 14 matches at the Eden Gardens, only five teams have won while chasing.
In recent years, it has changed from being a slowly spinning surface to one that aids seamers. South Africa may therefore not worry too much about serving as the hosts in this situation. India’s penultimate league game ensures that they would be aware of their standing in terms of qualifying for the semifinals by that time. Dew could undoubtedly have a role in this.