Cricket / ICC World Cup 2027: India to Face Australia in Opener, Pakistan on October 10

Bhubaneswar, Oct 1: India will open their ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027 campaign against defending champions Australia on October 7 before taking on arch-rivals Pakistan in a marquee group-stage clash on October 10, according to the tournament schedule unveiled by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday.

The 14-team tournament, jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, will be held from October 2 to November 21, 2027, featuring 57 matches across 12 venues under the theme "Three Nations, One Heartbeat".

Group Draw

India have been placed in Group A alongside Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Qualifier A. Group B comprises South Africa, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Qualifier B.

The highly anticipated India-Pakistan encounter is scheduled to be played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on October 10, making it one of the marquee fixtures of the group stage.

India's Campaign

India's World Cup journey will begin with a blockbuster clash against Australia at Newlands, Cape Town, on October 7. The fixture pits the two cricketing powerhouses against each other at the start of what promises to be a closely contested tournament.

The opening weekend will also feature Afghanistan taking on Pakistan in Centurion on October 8, while hosts South Africa begin their campaign against New Zealand in Cape Town on October 9.

Zimbabwe, returning to the Men's ODI World Cup after a 12-year absence, will face Qualifier A in Bulawayo in their opening match. They are also scheduled to host India in Match 33 at the Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium in Victoria Falls.

Tournament Format

The competition will commence with a Super Series in Namibia involving the three lowest-ranked qualified teams. The winner will advance to the group stage.

Following the group phase, teams will compete in the Super Sevens stage, which will determine the semifinalists.

The semifinals are scheduled for Cape Town on November 17 and Tshwane on November 18, while the final will be played in Johannesburg on November 21.
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ICC Chairman Jay Shah said the announcement of the schedule and opening of the ticket ballot marked a significant milestone in the countdown to the World Cup. He expressed confidence that South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia would provide a memorable stage for the world's best cricket teams.

The tournament will be played across eight venues in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia, bringing the ODI World Cup back to southern Africa on a grand scale.