India captain Rohit Sharma is expecting the upcoming ODI World Cup in the country to be a highly competitive affair. He said that the game has become faster in recent years and that teams are playing more positively than ever before. India will begin their campaign against five-time champions Australia in Chennai on October 8. They will play all their nine league matches at different venues, including Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Lucknow, and Bengaluru.
“This World Cup is going to be very competitive as the game has become faster and teams are playing more positively than ever before,” Rohit Sharma said in an ICC release. “All this augurs well for fans worldwide, promising them many thrilling moments. We look forward to preparing well and being at our best this October-November.”
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The tournament retains the round-robin format of last time, with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches. There are six, day matches in the tournament, which will start at 10:30 am IST. All other matches, including the knockouts, will be day-night fixtures starting at 2 pm IST.
Rohit Sharma said “We look forward to preparing well and giving our best in October – November for India”. pic.twitter.com/bFESdRoaFE
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The top four teams will qualify for the semifinals, which will be played in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16. The semifinals and the final will have reserve days. If India qualify for the semifinals, they will play their last-four stage game in Mumbai.
Rohit Sharma is confident that India can win the World Cup on home soil. “We have a very good team and we are playing some good cricket,” he said. “We have the experience and the talent to win the World Cup. We just need to execute our plans well and play to our potential.”
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The ODI World Cup is the most prestigious tournament in cricket. It is held every four years, and the winner is considered to be the best team in the world. India is one of the favorites to win the World Cup in 2023, and Sharma will be hoping to lead his team to victory.
India’s schedule:
- India vs Australia, Oct 8, Chennai
- India vs Afghanistan, Oct 11, Delhi
- India vs Pakistan, Oct 15, Ahmedabad
- India vs Bangladesh, Oct 19, Pune
- India vs New Zealand, Oct 22, Dharamsala
- India vs England, Oct 29, Lucknow
- India vs Qualifier 2, Nov 2, Mumbai
- India vs South Africa, Nov 5, Kolkata
- India vs Qualifier 1, Nov 11, Bengaluru
