Dubai, Oct. 1 -- India's road to the 2027 ODI World Cup will begin with a heavyweight clash against defending champions Australia in Cape Town on October 7, followed just three days later by the tournament's biggest rivalry as Shubman Gill's side takes on Pakistan in Johannesburg on October 10.
The International Cricket Council on Thursday unveiled a schedule that gives India a high-voltage start to their campaign, with the finalists from the previous edition facing two of the world's leading teams in their opening three days of action.
India and Australia will meet at Newlands before India head to the Wanderers for their clash with Pakistan. The group campaign will then take Gill's team to Centurion for a match against Afghanistan on October 14, Bloemfontein for a game against one of the qualifiers on October 17 and Victoria Falls for their final group fixture against co-hosts Zimbabwe on October 24.
India are in Group A alongside Australia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and one qualifier. Group B features England, co-hosts South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the other qualifier.
The tournament will then enter the Super 7s from October 25, with the top three teams from each group and the better-placed fourth team progressing. India have been assigned A1, Australia A2 and Pakistan A3 based on the predetermined seeding system.
That could set up another India-Pakistan showdown on November 7 in Cape Town if both sides reach the Super 7s. India are also scheduled to face Australia again, this time at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe on October 28.
The World Cup will be a demanding test of consistency. A team must play 11 matches to reach the final, making the championship match its 12th game.
The semi-finals are scheduled for Cape Town and Centurion on November 17 and 18, with the final at the Wanderers on November 21.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the release of the schedule and opening of the ticket ballot marked key steps towards the tournament. He said the ICC was seeking to make matches accessible to families, young fans and local communities through affordable ticket options.
The tournament will span 12 venues across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. South Africa will host matches in Cape Town, Paarl, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Bloemfontein, Durban, KuGompo City and Gqeberha, while Zimbabwe will use Victoria Falls, Harare and Bulawayo. Namibia's Cricket Ground in Windhoek will host three group games and three Super Series matches.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.