Kolkata: The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has commenced preparations for the highly anticipated ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, with Snehasish Ganguly, the president of CAB, expressing excitement about hosting the event. Ganguly also shared his enthusiasm for the possibility of an India vs Pakistan match at the iconic Eden Gardens, calling it a dream match for cricket fans.
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to face each other in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 this October at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. As the host venue, Eden Gardens is gearing up for the tournament, with renovations and preparations already underway. Ganguly stated that the stadium is being renovated, including the corporate boxes, and mentioned that ground conditions are excellent. The official preparations for the ground will commence from July 1. Ganguly also assured that any existing patches on the field will be resolved within the next two months.
Regarding the World Cup schedule, Ganguly expressed satisfaction, stating that they received what they expected and wished for. He revealed that their aim was to secure a semifinal match, and at the last moment, Eden Gardens was chosen as one of the venues for a semifinal match. Ganguly emphasized that an India vs Pakistan semifinal at Eden Gardens would be a dream match for everyone involved.
Highlighting the success of high-scoring matches and favorable pitch conditions during the Indian Premier League (IPL) held at Eden Gardens, Ganguly expressed his commitment to maintaining those conditions for the World Cup matches. The CAB president expects a significant crowd turnout, considering the stadium’s capacity of 65,000, and assured fans that tickets would be reasonably priced.
Ganguly urged fans to come to the stadium and witness the matches live or enjoy them on TV. He assured everyone that the matches would be conducted smoothly with proper security measures, even during the Durga Puja festivities that coincide with the tournament’s duration. Ganguly praised the Kolkata police for their past cooperation during international matches and expressed confidence that they would ensure the safety and security of the event.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will kick off in Ahmedabad and culminate with the final at the same venue. Other host cities include Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamsala, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Pune. Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram will join Hyderabad in hosting the practice matches.
The tournament will feature eight teams that have qualified through the Cricket World Cup Super League, while the final two spots will be decided by the finalists of the World Cup Qualifier taking place in Zimbabwe. The round-robin format from the previous edition will be retained, with each team playing against all others in a total of 45 league matches. The top four teams will qualify for the semifinals, scheduled to be played in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16. The semifinals and final will have reserve days to account for any weather interruptions.
Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly looking forward to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and with Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens set to play a significant role, the tournament promises to be a memorable and thrilling event for fans worldwide.
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