The ICC Men’s World Cup countdown has begun, and the cricketing world is excitedly buzzing. In this blog, we dive into the unique viewpoint of former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who provides his thoughts on India’s tournament schedule.
Read: India Squad for ICC World Cup 2023]
Gavaskar’s proposed strategy? How might Team India gain from facing strong opponents early on? What about the much-anticipated clash with Pakistan? Join us as we dissect Gavaskar’s strategic analysis and consider the consequences for India’s World Cup aspirations.
Check: ICC World Cup Schedule 2023 PDF
Prepare for an entertaining tour through India’s games and the strategic manoeuvres that may define their road to victory.
Advantage of Facing Strong Teams Early
Gavaskar emphasizes the benefit of playing against strong teams early in the competition. India’s World Cup campaign begins on October 8 in Chennai against five-time winners Australia.
[su_table]
| DATE | MATCH | VENUE |
| Sunday, October 8, 2023 | IND v AUS | Chennai |
| Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | IND v AFG | New Delhi |
| Sunday, October 15, 2023 | IND v PAK | Ahmedabad |
| Thursday, October 19, 2023 | IND v BAN | Pune |
| Sunday, October 22, 2023 | IND v NZ | Dharamsala |
| Sunday, October 29, 2023 | IND v ENG | Lucknow |
| Thursday, November 2, 2023 | IND v SL | Mumbai |
| Sunday, November 5, 2023 | IND v SA | Kolkata |
| Saturday, November 11, 2023 | IND v Q1 | Bengaluru |
[/su_table]
The next match is against Afghanistan on October 11 in Delhi. For Gavaskar, facing difficult opponents early on enables India to cover up any possible defeats in the next matches.
Learning from Early Challenges
The famous cricketer argues that facing good teams early in the competition allows India to analyze its shortcomings and plan appropriately.
You will also like to read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Venues
If India suffers a setback in the first few games, they can learn from their mistakes and use what they’ve learned in subsequent games, especially against lesser opponents.
The Epic Showdown: India vs Pakistan
The clash between India and Pakistan on October 15 at the Narendra Modi arena, the world’s largest cricket arena, will be met with great expectation and enthusiasm.
In 50-over World Cup matches, India has an unblemished record against Pakistan, having won all seven games, including the dramatic 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali.
Related: Pakistan Squad 2023 Cricket World Cup
It is important to note that Pakistan did break the jinx after defeating India in the ICC Champions Trophy and the T20 world cup. But is it time for the ODI world cup? We will see.
The Round-Robin Format and Semifinals
The Cricket World Cup will be played in a round-robin style, with all countries playing in 45 league matches. The top four teams will advance to the semifinals, which will take place on November 15 in Mumbai and November 16 in Kolkata.
It should be noted that extra days have been set aside for the semifinals and final. If Pakistan advances to the semifinals, they will play in Kolkata.
But, if India advances to the semifinals and meets Pakistan, the match will also be held in Kolkata. If India meets another team, the semifinal match will be in Mumbai.
Conclusion
As cricket fans expect the start of the ICC Men’s World Cup, Sunil Gavaskar’s analysis of India’s match schedule adds another element of anticipation and exuberance. The outcome of each match will greatly influence India’s progress in the tournament.
Let us buckle ourselves and prepare for a fantastic skill, passion, and dedication exhibition. Will India be able to repeat their feat of 2011? We will have to see.