The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, a pinnacle in the cricketing calendar, unfolded with much fanfare and anticipation in India, marking the 13th edition of this prestigious event. As the exclusive host for the first time, India set the stage for a tournament that promised to blend rich cricketing traditions with the excitement of modern one-day international (ODI) cricket. Scheduled across various iconic venues, this World Cup brought together ten of the finest cricketing nations, each aiming to etch their name in the annals of cricket history.
Reflecting on the history of the tournament, the 2023 World Cup held a special significance. Not only did it represent a return to the subcontinent, where cricket is more than just a sport, but it also symbolized the resilience of the game in the face of unprecedented global challenges. The tournament’s format, comprising a single-league round-robin leading to the knockouts, ensured a high level of competition, providing each team an equal opportunity to showcase their prowess against every other opponent. This format, praised for its fairness and rigor, promised to deliver a spectacle of matches filled with strategy, skill, and the unbridled passion characteristic of cricket at its highest level.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Venues
The tournament was hosted across ten distinct stadiums located in various cities throughout India. The initial semi-final took place at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, followed by the second semi-final at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. The grand finale was held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allocated funds for significant renovations and improvements at these stadiums. For instance, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium underwent a comprehensive revamp, including a new grass surface, an enhanced drainage system, additional seating, and the installation of hospitality boxes. The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai received updates to its outfield, floodlights, corporate boxes, and restroom facilities. Meanwhile, the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai was equipped with new floodlights and also saw two of its wickets relaid.
Considering the tournament’s autumn schedule, the International Cricket Council (ICC) implemented specific protocols to mitigate the influence of moisture, like dew and rain, on the pitch conditions. This strategy aimed to prevent any undue advantage to the team batting second, a notable issue in the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup. Measures included the application of a special wetting agent. Furthermore, the boundary was set at approximately 70 meters (77 yards) in each stadium, coupled with a grassier pitch to favor seam bowling over spin bowling.
The stadiums, their capacities, and the number of matches they hosted were as follows:
- Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, with a capacity of 132,000, hosted 5 matches.
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, accommodating 33,800 spectators, also hosted 5 matches.
- M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with a seating capacity of 38,200, was the venue for 5 matches.
- Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, holding 35,200 fans, hosted 5 matches.
- HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, with a capacity of 21,200, hosted 5 matches.
- Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, accommodating 39,200, hosted 3 matches.
- Eden Gardens in Kolkata, with a massive capacity of 68,000, was chosen for 5 matches.
- BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, holding 50,100 spectators, hosted 5 matches.
- Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, with a capacity of 33,100, also hosted 5 matches.
- Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, with a capacity of 42,700, hosted 5 matches.
Opening Ceremony
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, held in India, had a somewhat unconventional start compared to previous editions, especially in terms of its opening ceremony. Contrary to the grand opening displays of past World Cups, the 2023 edition did not feature a traditional opening ceremony. Instead, the organizers, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), opted for a “Captains’ Day” event.
This event, which took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium, involved the captains of all 10 participating teams. They participated in a photoshoot with the World Cup trophy and engaged in media interactions. This gathering marked the official beginning of the tournament and was a significant moment, especially for the team captains, offering them a platform for interaction and celebration before the onset of the competitive matches.
While initial plans for a star-studded opening ceremony, featuring prominent Bollywood celebrities and a grand fireworks and laser show, were reported, these plans were eventually set aside. Instead, the focus was on the Captains’ Day event, which carried a symbolic significance, signifying the commencement of the World Cup.
The opening match of the tournament was a replay of the 2019 World Cup final between England and New Zealand, setting the tone for an exciting cricketing showdown. While the absence of a grand opening ceremony was noted, the focus remained on the cricket and the global spectacle that the World Cup is known for. The approach taken for the inauguration of the World Cup 2023 underscored a more focused and perhaps understated celebration of cricket, centered around the players and the game itself.
This shift in the opening ceremony’s format may reflect changing priorities or logistical considerations, particularly in the context of the global sporting events landscape. Nonetheless, the enthusiasm and anticipation for the tournament were palpable among fans and players alike.
Team Lists
Point Table of Group Stage ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | NR | Pts | NRR | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India (H) | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2.570 | Advanced to the semi-finals and qualified for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy |
| 2 | South Africa | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1.261 | |
| 3 | Australia | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0.841 | |
| 4 | New Zealand | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.743 | |
| 5 | Pakistan | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -0.199 | Qualified for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy |
| 6 | Afghanistan | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -0.336 | |
| 7 | England | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -0.572 | |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -1.087 | |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -1.419 | |
| 10 | Netherlands | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -1.825 |
Fixtures
| Date | Team 1 vs Team 2 | Score and Result |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, 05 Oct ‘23 | ENG vs NZ | ENG 282/9, NZ 283/1 - NZ won by 9 wickets |
| Fri, 06 Oct ‘23 | PAK vs NED | PAK 286, NED 205 - Pakistan won by 81 runs |
| Sat, 07 Oct ‘23 | AFG vs BAN | AFG 156, BAN 158/4 - Bangladesh won by 6 wickets |
| SA vs SL | SA 428/5, SL 326 - South Africa won by 102 runs | |
| Sun, 08 Oct ‘23 | AUS vs IND | AUS 199, IND 201/4 - India won by 6 wickets |
| Mon, 09 Oct ‘23 | NZ vs NED | NZ 322/7, NED 223 - New Zealand won by 99 runs |
| Tue, 10 Oct ‘23 | ENG vs BAN | ENG 364/9, BAN 227 - England won by 137 runs |
| SL vs PAK | SL 344/9, PAK 345/4 - Pakistan won by 6 wickets | |
| Wed, 11 Oct ‘23 | AFG vs IND | AFG 272/8, IND 273/2 - India won by 8 wickets |
| SA vs AUS | SA 311/7, AUS 177 - South Africa won by 134 runs | |
| Thu, 12 Oct ‘23 | BAN vs NZ | BAN 245/9, NZ 248/2 - New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
| Fri, 13 Oct ‘23 | PAK vs IND | PAK 191, IND 192/3 - India won by 7 wickets |
| Sun, 15 Oct ‘23 | AFG vs ENG | AFG 284, ENG 215 - Afghanistan won by 69 runs |
| SL vs AUS | SL 209, AUS 215/5 - Australia won by 5 wickets | |
| Tue, 17 Oct ‘23 | NED vs SA | NED 245/8, SA 207 - Netherlands won by 38 runs |
| Wed, 18 Oct ‘23 | NZ vs AFG | NZ 288/6, AFG 139 - New Zealand won by 149 runs |
| Thu, 19 Oct ‘23 | BAN vs IND | BAN 256/8, IND 261/3 - India won by 7 wickets |
| Fri, 20 Oct ‘23 | AUS vs PAK | AUS 367/9, PAK 305 - Australia won by 62 runs |
| Sat, 21 Oct ‘23 | NED vs SL | NED 262, SL 263/5 - Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets |
| SA vs ENG | SA 399/7, ENG 170 - South Africa won by 229 runs | |
| Sun, 22 Oct ‘23 | NZ vs IND | NZ 273, IND 274/6 - India won by 4 wickets |
| Mon, 23 Oct ‘23 | PAK vs AFG | PAK 282/7, AFG 286/2 - Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
| Tue, 24 Oct ‘23 | SA vs BAN | SA 382/5, BAN 233 - South Africa won by 149 runs |
| AUS vs NED | AUS 399/8, NED 90 - Australia won by 309 runs | |
| Thu, 26 Oct ‘23 | ENG vs SL | ENG 156, SL 160/2 - Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets |
| Fri, 27 Oct ‘23 | PAK vs SA | PAK 270, SA 271/9 - South Africa won by 1 wicket |
| Sun, 29 Oct ‘23 | AUS vs NZ | AUS 388, NZ 383/9 - Australia won by 5 runs |
| NED vs BAN | NED 229, BAN 142 - Netherlands won by 87 runs | |
| Mon, 30 Oct ‘23 | IND vs ENG | IND 229/9, ENG 129 - India won by 100 runs |
| Tue, 31 Oct ‘23 | AFG vs PAK | AFG 241, PAK 205/3 - Pakistan won by 7 wickets |
| Wed, 01 Nov ‘23 | SA vs NZ | SA 357/4, NZ 167 - South Africa won by 190 runs |
| Thu, 02 Nov ‘23 | IND vs SL | IND 357/8, SL 55 - India won by 302 runs |
| Fri, 03 Nov ‘23 | NED vs AFG | NED 179, AFG 181/3 - Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
| NZ vs PAK | NZ 401/6, PAK 200/1 - Pakistan won by 21 runs (DLS method) | |
| AUS vs ENG | AUS 286, ENG 253 - Australia won by 33 runs | |
| Sun, 05 Nov ‘23 | IND vs SA | IND 326/5, SA 83 - India won by 243 runs |
| SL vs BAN | SL 279, BAN 282/7 - Bangladesh won by 3 wickets | |
| AFG vs AUS | AFG 291/5, AUS 293/7 - Australia won by 3 wickets | |
| ENG vs NED | ENG 339/9, NED 179 - England won by 160 runs | |
| Fri, 10 Nov ‘23 | NZ vs BAN | NZ 171, BAN 172/5 - New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
| AFG vs SA | AFG 244, SA 247/5 - South Africa won by 5 wickets | |
| IND vs AUS | IND 306/8, AUS 307/2 - Australia won by 8 wickets | |
| ENG vs PAK | ENG 337/9, PAK 244 - England won by 93 runs | |
| Sun, 12 Nov ‘23 | IND vs NED | IND 410/4, NED 250 - India won by 160 runs |
| Wed, 15 Nov ‘23 | IND vs NZ | IND 397/4, NZ 327 - India won by 70 runs |
| Thu, 16 Nov ‘23 | SA vs AUS | SA 212, AUS 215/7 - Australia won by 3 wickets |
| Sun, 19 Nov ‘23 | IND vs AUS | IND 240, AUS 241/4 - Australia won by 6 wickets |
Stats of Most Runs and Wickets - Top Scorers Fixed on Cricket World Cup 2023
Most Runs:
| Runs | Player | Inns | HS | Ave | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 765 | India Virat Kohli | 11 | 117 | 95.62 | 90.31 | 3 | 6 | 68 | 9 |
| 597 | India Rohit Sharma | 11 | 131 | 54.27 | 125.94 | 1 | 3 | 66 | 31 |
| 594 | SA Quinton de Kock | 10 | 174 | 59.40 | 107.02 | 4 | 0 | 57 | 21 |
| 578 | NZ Rachin Ravindra | 10 | 123* | 64.22 | 106.44 | 3 | 2 | 55 | 17 |
| 552 | NZ Daryl Mitchell | 10 | 134 | 69.00 | 111.06 | 2 | 2 | 48 | 22 |
Most Wickets:
| Wkts | Player | Inns | Ave | Econ | BBI | SR | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | India Mohammed Shami | 7 | 10.70 | 5.26 | 7/57 | 12.20 | 3 |
| 23 | Australia Adam Zampa | 11 | 22.39 | 5.36 | 4/8 | 25.04 | 0 |
| 21 | SL Dilshan Madushanka | 9 | 25.00 | 6.70 | 5/80 | 22.38 | 1 |
| 20 | India Jasprit Bumrah | 11 | 18.65 | 4.06 | 4/39 | 27.55 | 0 |
| 20 | SA Gerald Coetzee | 8 | 19.80 | 6.23 | 4/44 | 19.05 | 0 |
Semi Final and Final Highlights
The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, held in India, culminated in a thrilling conclusion, highlighting the competitive spirit and high skill level of international cricket. The semi-finals and final were particularly notable for their intense competition and dramatic finishes.
In the first semi-final, India triumphed over New Zealand with a convincing margin of 70 runs. This match was held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, showcasing India’s dominant performance throughout the tournament. Their victory in this match was a testament to their consistent and high-level play, earning them a spot in the grand finale.
The second semi-final saw Australia facing off against South Africa. In a close and hard-fought match, Australia emerged victorious by three wickets. This match took place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and it was a nail-biting encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last moments.
The final, a showdown between India and Australia, was held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a venue known for its grand scale and electric atmosphere. Australia clinched the title for a record-extending sixth time, defeating India by six wickets. This victory was particularly notable as it came against the host nation, India, who had performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament, winning 10 consecutive games before facing defeat in the final.
These matches highlighted the best of what cricket has to offer: skill, strategy, and a spirit of competitiveness that resonates with fans worldwide. The World Cup once again proved to be a showcase of top-tier cricket, with teams from around the globe displaying their prowess and battling it out for the ultimate glory in the sport.
Prize Money
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, hosted in India, featured a significant prize pool of US$10 million, maintaining the same level as the 2019 and 2015 tournaments. The breakdown of the prize money was as follows:
- The winning team of the tournament received US$4 million.
- The runners-up were awarded US$2 million.
- Each of the two losing semi-finalists received US$800,000.
- There were also incentives for winning individual league matches, with each match win bringing in US$40,000.
- Teams that did not advance past the league stage received US$100,000 each.
This prize structure not only rewarded the overall success in the tournament but also provided incentives for teams to perform well in each match, adding an extra competitive edge to the group stage games.
FAQ
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Conclusion
As the curtains came down on the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, it left behind a mosaic of memorable moments and remarkable performances that will be etched in cricket history. The tournament, held in the cricket-crazed nation of India, not only lived up to its expectations but soared beyond, offering a spectacle that was a blend of sporting excellence, cultural celebration, and emotional rollercoasters. The final, a crescendo of the cricketing symphony, saw the best of the best lock horns in a display of skill, strategy, and sheer determination, epitomizing the spirit of cricket.
One of the standout features of this World Cup was the intense competition fostered by the round-robin format. Every match mattered, every run counted, and every wicket could potentially sway the fate of the teams. This format, ensuring that all teams faced each other, brought out the best in the teams and offered fans a complete view of the teams’ capabilities and tactics. It was a testament to the evolving nature of the ODI
format, a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, providing a comprehensive test of teams’ versatility and adaptability.
The World Cup also highlighted the growing depth and competitiveness in international cricket. Emerging teams put up formidable performances, challenging the established cricketing powerhouses and sometimes, scripting unexpected victories. This not only made for a thrilling viewing experience but also spoke volumes about the narrowing gap in international cricket standards. Additionally, individual brilliance shone through as players, both veterans and newcomers, seized the opportunity to make their mark on the world stage. From breathtaking centuries and masterful bowling spells to exceptional fielding efforts, the tournament was a showcase of individual talents converging for team glory.
In conclusion, the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup was more than just a cricket tournament; it was a celebration of the sport’s enduring appeal and its unifying power. It brought together nations, fostered camaraderie, and provided a global platform for showcasing cricketing excellence. As the champions lifted the coveted trophy, they did not just win a tournament; they won the hearts of millions of cricket fans around the world. The legacy of this World Cup will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of cricketers and will be remembered as a bright chapter in the annals of cricket history.