Excitement is building up as the ICC World Cup 2023 approaches, and the venues for the semi-finals are starting to take shape. According to a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and Kolkata’s Eden Gardens are the two likely venues to host the highly anticipated semi-final matches. While Chennai was also in the running, it seems that Eden Gardens has taken a slight lead in the selection process.
The decision to favor Wankhede Stadium and Eden Gardens as potential semi-final venues is based on various factors, one of which is the November weather in Chennai. The city has a higher probability of experiencing rainfall during that period, which could pose challenges for hosting a crucial match of such magnitude. As a result, the BCCI and the organizing committee have opted for venues that offer more favorable weather conditions.
To finalize the selection of venues, twelve hosting associations were called for a meeting in Mumbai. The objective was to discuss the details and make the necessary arrangements before the official announcement, scheduled for Tuesday. This meeting signifies the significant progress being made in the preparations for the ICC World Cup 2023.
If India qualifies for the semi-finals, they will have the advantage of playing their last-four stage game in Mumbai at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The venue holds historical significance as it hosted the final of the 2011 World Cup, where Team India, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, ended a 28-year title drought by defeating Sri Lanka. The electric atmosphere and memorable moments created at Wankhede Stadium during the 2011 final still resonate with cricket fans worldwide.
Similarly, the revered Eden Gardens in Kolkata is a strong contender to host the other semi-final match. The venue has a rich cricketing heritage and has witnessed numerous historic matches over the years. In the 1987 edition of the World Cup, Eden Gardens played host to the summit showdown between Australia and England, with the former emerging victorious. The stadium’s grandeur and capacity to accommodate a massive crowd make it a prime choice for hosting marquee matches.
With 10 teams participating in this year’s World Cup, the anticipation is higher than ever. As hosts, India has earned direct qualification, along with Afghanistan, Australia, England, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa through the 2020-2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. The remaining two teams will secure their spots through the World Cup Qualifiers, currently taking place in Zimbabwe. The qualifiers feature formidable teams such as former champions Sri Lanka and the West Indies, as well as Ireland, Nepal, the Netherlands, Oman, Scotland, the UAE, the USA, and the host nation, Zimbabwe.
The World Cup format in India will consist of a round-robin league, where the ten teams will face each other once, resulting in a total of 45 matches. Following the league stage, the top four teams will progress to the semi-finals, which will be played at the esteemed Wankhede Stadium and Eden Gardens. The excitement and stakes will reach new heights as the cricketing world eagerly awaits the culmination of this prestigious tournament with the highly anticipated final match.
