The ICC Cricket World 2023 is all set to take place across the length and breadth of India between October 05-November 19.
The marquee event will be staged across ten different venues- Dharamsala, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Lucknow, and each and every stadium is in readiness to provide fans and cricketers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We have got you covered with all the details regarding the 10 venues in this blog, so, let's dive
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
The world's largest sports stadium will again play host to marquee matches at the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
The 1.3 Lakh seater will host the opening game of the World Cup, which will take place between defending champions England and 2019 finalists New Zealand on October 05.
The stadium will also host a glittering opening ceremony, where the likes of Asha Bhosle and Shankar Mahadevan are set to grace the stage.
Ahmedabad will also play host to the marquee India vs Pakistan clash on October 14th, in addition to the World Cup final on November 19th.
Apart from enjoying the match from the safe comforts of the iconic venue, fans will also have the opportunity to explore the Sardar Patel Sports Complex and the adjoining sites in Ahmedabad.
The venue boasts of a rich World Cup history. It was at this place that India beat Australia in the 2011 quarter-finals. Can the Men in Blue create memories of a lifetime at this venue once again?
Also Read: Chasing Glory: India's Remarkable Journey in World Cups
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
The iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will once again be a witness to some of the best talents from around the world displaying their prodigious skills at the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
The venue will host a total of 5 matches, including the home sides' fixture against Sri Lanka in an encore of the 2011 final on November 02. It will also play host to the 1st semi-final on November 15.
The distinct red-soil pitch and short boundaries make Wankhede a haven for batsmen, but also provides a lot of help to pacers.
The ambiance of the stadium is breathtaking, and one can surely expect a cauldron when a high-profile match takes place. For the World Cup, the MCA has renovated the stadium's hospitality box to provide a better experience to the fans.
Also Read: World Cup 2023: The Bharat Army's Unifying Spirit
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
One of the oldest, and historic cricket stadiums in India, the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi will host 5 matches at the ICC World Cup 2023, including India's fixture against Afghanistan on October 11.
The stadium has undergone extensive renovation ahead of the marquee event. The DDCA has procured state-of-the-art cover that will protect the entire playing field, and a total of 37 Corporate Boxes have been installed in the DDCA Lounge, Bay Area, Hill 'B', and BCCI box. The DDCA Lounge will have a bar and a restaurant that can cater to 100 people at a time.
A total of 9 pitches will be there in the main square, two of which have been freshly laid.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata is all set to rock at the upcoming World Cup following its massive renovation.
The 65,000-seater venue has played host to the 1987 World Cup final and the infamous 1996 semi-final, and this time too, it's going to be privy to some high-profile fixtures, including India vs South Africa (Nov 05) and the 2nd semi-final.
The drainage system has been completely revamped by coating the outfield with sand to prevent unnecessary delays in case of rain.
M.A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Located close to the Marina Beach, the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has played host to several iconic cricket moments over the years.
Team India will open its 2023 World Cup campaign against five-time champions Australia here on October 08. Ironically, it's the same venue that hosted the memorable India vs Australia game in the 1987 event.
The stadium has undergone major facelift in the past year or so, with all its stands now available for use. New LED lights have been installed in MAC A and B.
The drainage facilities are excellent, with the TNCA employing multi-layered soil and perforated PVC pipes to drain excess water.
MCA Stadium, Pune
The picturesque Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune will make its World Cup debut this year.
The 42000-seater will play host to 5 games, including India's fixture against Bangladesh on October 19.
The venue has 32 corporate boxes with a capacity of 12 each. In addition to this, the plush president's box can accommodate 54 spectators.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
One of the most iconic stadiums in India, the M.M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru is all set to rock in the upcoming World Cup 2023.
The 34000-seater has undergone a major facelift ahead of the marquee event, with the entire outfield been re-laid, and additional roofs have been built for a couple of the stands.
The stadium consists of 4 corporate boxes, all of which have been upgraded to world-class standards for the tournament. With food and beverages on a call, fans can enjoy the ambiance of the stadium and the high-profile match from these boxes.
The drainage facility at the Chinnaswamy is probably the best among all the stadiums in the country, with the SubAir system boasting of the ability to get the ground in readiness without unnecessary delay.
The pitch at the venue has always been the best friend of batsmen, and we can expect much of the same this time around as well.
Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
The Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow will make its World Cup debut this year.
The 50000-capacity seater boasts of 3 hospitality boxes.
The stadium boasts of the herringbone drainage system, which includes a central sloping pipe and lateral pipes to drain water efficiently.
HPCA Cricket Stadium, Dharamsala
With the stunning Dhauladhar ranges forming its background, the HPCA Cricket Stadium in Dharamsala is easily one of the most gorgeous stadiums in the world, and it's likely to be a major attraction for fans in the upcoming World Cup.
The stadium has undergone a major revamp in the past year, with its outfield being completely re-laid, and the new sub-way drainage system- air-evacuation mechanism- in place to prevent unnecessary delays in case of rain.
The stadium has also been decorated with new LED lights to further enhance its ambiance.
Also, Granite stone has been used in the stadium to give the stadium a breathtaking look.
The stadium will play host to 5 World Cup matches, including marquee clashes between India & New Zealand, and Australia & New Zealand on October 22 & 28 respectively.
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
One of the most picturesque cricket stadiums in the country, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is all set to 'wow' fans and players with its upgraded facilities in the upcoming World Cup 2023.
The stadium has undergone a major revamp ahead of the tournament, with new seats, upgraded washroom facilities, giant scoreboards, canopies, and, elevators.
The stadium boasts of 6 Corporate boxes with a capacity of 25 each. The entrance to the ground floor is decorated with frames of some of the greatest cricketers who played for Hyderabad and India.
The venue has excellent drainage facilities, with the sub-soil pipeline system directly connected to the moat encircling the playing area.
While India will not play at the venue, the stadium will play host to a high-profile fixture between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on October 10.
Featured Image Credit: ANI
