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SPORTS JULY 14, 2023 | The Indian Eye 36

ODI WORLD CUP 2023

Five key matches to look

forward to in the tournament

With the Cricket World Cup schedule announced, we take a look at some of the key group stage

matches that could determine who takes the cup

INDIA V PAKISTAN
AHMEDABAD - OCTOBER 15

atches between India and Pakistan are always
Ma crowd puller and highly anticipated and
when they occur at a World Cup then the expecta-
tions are amplified to another level.
India has dominated this match-up, winning
all seven clashes between the two rivals at 50-over
World Cups. At the last edition of the 50-over
showcase, it was Rohit Sharma that proved the dif-
ference, with the current India skipper scoring a
brilliant 140 to lead his side to a comprehensive
89-run (DLS method) victory in Manchester.
Rohit will be hoping to replicate that effort this
time around in Ahmedabad, but his opposing skip-
per and world No.1 ODI batter Babar Azam is sure
to be just as keen to give Pakistan the bragging rights.
And fans of the team in blue will be hoping for
a repeat of Virat Kohli’s heroics from last year’s
T20 World Cup in Melbourne, where he led India
to a thrilling triumph over Pakistan in a dramatic
run chase in front of a massive crowd at the Mel-
bourne Cricket Ground.
ENGLAND V NEW ZEALAND
AHMEDABAD - OCTOBER 5 head-to-head and attempt to make a flying start to seen in India is unclear, but the veteran right-
the tournament. hander had a big impact during this year’s Indian
he thrilling final at the most recent edition of All eyes will be on Chennai on October 8 as Premier League to show he is more than capable
Tthe World Cup remains one of the most mem- India plays their first match of the World Cup and against the white ball.
orable cricket matches of all time and the two Rohit Sharma’s side will have their work cut out If the Proteas can defeat Sri Lanka in their
combatants will renew rivalries in the tournament against five-time champions Australia. tournament opener in Delhi, then this clash in
opener later this year. The two teams will know each other quite well Lucknow becomes a big match as they look to
And on first impression it looks like England so there aren’t likely to be too many surprises and reach the knockout stages of the event for the first
and New Zealand will both be around the mark it wouldn’t shock to see plenty of runs scored in time since 2015.
when the whips start cracking at the business end this clash. Australia face hosts India in their first appear-
of the tournament, so a win first up will be impera- A win here would be the perfect way for the ance at the event and the matches don’t get any easi-
tive as teams look to obtain some early momentum. tournament hosts to kickstart their World Cup er as they take on the dangerous Proteas who boast
Whether inspirational skipper Kane William- campaign, but Australia will be out to prove a point a formidable fast bowling line-up that may include
son is fit remains to be seen. New Zealand will and show they are in the mix to emulate the first Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi.
be hoping that the veteran skipper overcomes his World Cup title they won on Indian soil in 1987.
knee injury in time to help the Black Caps try to India may have extra incentive as well, having BANGLADESH V AFGHANISTAN
gain revenge for their narrow defeat to England just lost to Australia in the ICC World Test Cham- DHARAMSALA - OCTOBER 7
four years ago. pionship Final at The Oval in London. angladesh was among the surprise packets
England has been a force against the white ball
in recent times and will be confident of adding this AUSTRALIA V SOUTH AFRICA Bduring the qualifying process for this World
Cup as the Asian side finished above many high-
piece of silverware to the 2019 World Cup title and LUCKNOW - OCTOBER 13 er-ranked sides when finishing in third place during
2022 T20 World Cup crown they won in Australia.
outh Africa won only three matches at the 2019 the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.
INDIA V AUSTRALIA SWorld Cup, but interestingly one of those vic- To further the momentum, they gained from
CHENNAI - OCTOBER 8 tories came in the final group match of the event that event, it will be imperative for Bangladesh to
when they defeated Australia in Manchester on the flex their collective muscle and register a victory
his is a massive contest for a host of reasons as back of a superb century from Faf du Plessis. in their first appearance at the 50-over showcase
Ttwo of the best 50-over sides in world cricket go Whether the star South Africa batter will be against a more than capable Afghanistan outfit.

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