The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is slated to be held in India in October-November.
While the apex body is yet to announce the fixtures and venues for the showpiece tournament, a report published in PTI claims that Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium and Kolkata’s Eden Gardens are the frontrunners to host the two semifinals of the upcoming 50-over World Cup.
Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium was also in the race to stage the marquee game but fell behind in the pecking order with chances of rain during November in that part of the country.
"Mumbai's Wankhede and Kolkata's Eden Gardens are two likely venues for the World Cup semi finals. Earlier, Chennai was also in the race but it seems Eden is slightly ahead now," PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
"One of the reasons could be the November weather in Chennai where there is always a chance of rain."
According to the report, representatives of shortlisted twelve hosting associations were called in Mumbai on Monday (June 26) to discuss details and finalise the venues before the official announcement of the World Cup schedule on Tuesday (June 27).
The report also stated that if India qualify for the World Cup semis, they will probably play their last-four clash at the Wankhede Stadium – the same venue where the MS Dhoni-led Indian side won the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka.
A total of 10 teams will participate in the 2023 edition of ODI World Cup, with eight already qualified for the quadrennial event – including the host India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The race for the two vacant spots is ongoing in Zimbabwe in ICC Men’s ODI World Cup Qualifier, where the top teams will fill those positions.
The 2023 World Cup will be played in the Round-Robin format, where all 10 teams will play each other before the top four sides will qualify for the semi-finals.
(With PTI Inputs)