ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023: BCCI Decides To Cancel Opening Ceremony, Will Organise Closing Ceremony And Function Before India Vs Pakistan Clash

The ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 will not be having any opening ceremony as decided by the host nation – Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This will be the first time in many editions of the ODI World Cup that there will be no official opening ceremony preceding the opening fixture – the clash between defending champions England New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

In a report on Rev Sports website, it’s been disclosed that the traditionally held opening ceremony for this grandest cricketing event will not take place. Initially, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) intended to stage a lavish opening ceremony at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 4, one day prior to the tournament’s inaugural match at the same location.

Updates on Ceremony in this World Cup 2023: (Dainik Jagran)

- No Opening ceremony.
- There will be Closing ceremony or
- A ceremony before IND vs PAK match.
- The presentation have been given to BCCI officals. pic.twitter.com/uGFhM2iqVy

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) October 2, 2023

Projected to feature celebrated Bollywood personalities like Ranveer Singh, Arijit Singh, Tamannaah Bhatia, Shreyas Ghoshal and Asha Bhosle, the ceremony was also anticipated to showcase fireworks and a laser display to herald the commencement of the Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

The star-powered opening ceremony was slated to commence at 7 PM IST, immediately succeeding the Captains’ Day event at the Narendra Modi Stadium. While the Captains’ Day event remains scheduled, there’s been no formal declaration concerning the opening ceremony’s cancellation.

All 10 team captains, including Indian captain Rohit Sharma, will converge in Ahmedabad for Captains’ Day. Team India will embark on their tournament journey three days afterward in Chennai, confronting Australia, who are pursuing their sixth World Cup title.

A highlight of the tournament, the India vs Pakistan match, is scheduled for October 14 at the Ahmedabad venue. The BCCI are considering organising a function in Ahmedabad ahead of this blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan.

The Indian team, having exhibited formidable form in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023 — where they claimed victory against Sri Lanka to become champions — and maintaining a winning streak by conquering Australia 2-1 in a home-ground three-match series, demonstrates readiness for the prestigious event.

Conversely, the Pakistani team, after a lacklustre performance in the Asia Cup and amidst whispers of internal strife among their veteran players, coupled with the injury of fast bowler Naseem Shah, faces a challenging path ahead. Observers await with interest to see how the Pakistani team navigates these hurdles in the imminent prestigious tournament.