WC2023 – Captains Convene for ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 Kickoff
Varad Bhatkhande
Ahmedabad, 4th October 2023 – In a momentous gathering of cricketing prowess, captains from across the globe assembled today in anticipation of the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023. This historic event, set to kick off on October 5th in Ahmedabad, promises cricket enthusiasts an exhilarating spectacle like never before.
The roster of captains present at the event included some of the most prominent figures in international cricket. Here’s a glance at the captains who graced the occasion:
1. Indian captain Rohit Sharma
2. Pakistan captain Babar Azam
3. Australian captain Pat Cummins
4. England captain Jos Buttler
5. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson
6. South African captain Temba Bavuma
7. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan
8. Netherlands captain Scott Edwards
9. Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka
10. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi
Eoin Morgan, the former captain of the England team that triumphed in the previous edition of the ODI World Cup, and renowned cricketing personality Ravi Shastri were on hand to engage the captains with a series of insightful questions and discussions.
One poignant moment during the gathering came when Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, was questioned about the heartbreak his team endured in the 2019 World Cup final, where they lost to England on a boundary count. In response, Williamson gracefully acknowledged the past while expressing eagerness for the challenges ahead in the 2023 tournament. He stated, “2019 was amazing, but we are looking forward to what this one brings. This year will be different.”
Recalling the 2019 final, where the match was tied after 50 overs and even the Super Over was tied, Indian captain Rohit Sharma humorously deflected a question about his feelings regarding the boundary count rule, quipping, “It’s not my job to decide that.”
Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, added a touch of humour to the proceedings when asked about his experience in Hyderabad. He praised the warm hospitality and couldn’t resist mentioning his delight at indulging in the Hyderabadi biryani. He also expressed his excitement about the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for October 14th in Ahmedabad.
As the captains exchanged thoughts and insights, the excitement for the tournament ahead reached its zenith. While teams like England, India, Australia, and South Africa are considered favourites, the unpredictable nature of cricket ensures that no team can be entirely ruled out.
Every participating nation is seen as a potential dark horse in what promises to be a thrilling ODI World Cup in 2023. Cricket fans worldwide eagerly await the action set to unfold in the coming weeks, with Ahmedabad poised to host the inaugural match on October 5th.
