Undoubtedly, one of the most intense rivalries in the world of cricket is the clash between India and Pakistan. Every time these two cricketing giants face off, it’s a moment of great anticipation and excitement, especially since they typically only meet in major tournaments like the Asia Cup or significant ICC events. It’s no wonder that the showdown between these titans from the Indian subcontinent is viewed by many as the highlight of the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023. This match is not just any game; it’s a colossal event, eagerly awaited by cricket fans all around the world.
Whenever the cricketing powerhouses, India and Pakistan, cross paths on the cricket field, you can guarantee that the stadium will be bursting at the seams with fervent and passionate fans. This enduring rivalry between the two nations has woven a rich tapestry of cricket history, infusing each match with an unmistakable tension and drama. As the ICC World Cup 2023 makes its much-anticipated return after a four-year hiatus, the excitement and enthusiasm for the impending showdown between India and Pakistan on Saturday, October 14, at 02:00 pm IST, are reaching a fever pitch. Cricket aficionados around the world are eagerly counting down the days to this epic encounter, eagerly awaiting the thrill that only an India vs. Pakistan match can deliver.
When is the India vs. Pakistan match scheduled in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023?
Originally, there was great excitement surrounding the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 schedule, which had originally set October 15 as the date for the highly-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash. However, in a significant turn of events, the marquee matchup was brought forward to October 14. This change was prompted by the thoughtful consideration of local authorities in Gujarat, who were mindful of potential scheduling conflicts with important religious festivities. This decision is underscored by the recognition that both the World Cup matches and these grand festivals are significant occasions, each demanding meticulous security arrangements. Thus, the rescheduling of the match date was undertaken to ensure the seamless and secure execution of both of these momentous events.
The upcoming match in the ICC World Cup 2023 marks the third time since 2021 that India and Pakistan will go head-to-head in an ICC tournament during the month of October. Their rivalry in these tournaments has delivered some unforgettable moments. In the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, held in Dubai, UAE, and Pakistan delivered a stunning performance, defeating India by a commanding 10-wicket margin. However, the story took a different turn in the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup when the two teams met in a nail-biting contest at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In that thrilling encounter, India managed to overcome Pakistan by just four wickets, creating yet another memorable chapter in their storied rivalry.
What is the venue for the India vs. Pakistan World Cup 2023 match?
Located in the vibrant city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the epicentre of the cricketing world, the Narendra Modi Stadium is all set to take center stage as it hosts the clash between India and Pakistan in the group-stage encounter of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. This stadium stands as the grandest stadium in the cricketing universe, boasting an awe-inspiring seating capacity that can accommodate a staggering 134,000 spectators, making it the largest stadium in the world. The sheer scale of this sporting stadium is nothing short of breathtaking, promising a memorable backdrop for what is arguably one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in the world of sports.
Players to watch out during India vs. Pakistan[1]
Virat Kohli
There’s no need for a definition when it comes to Virat Kohli’s cricketing capabilities. With an impressive tally of more than 25,000 international runs to his name, Kohli stands as a colossal figure in the world of cricket. His unmatched talent and consistency have made him the dream player that many aspire to have in their team. In fact, a recent Instagram post by the ICC asked players which Indian cricketer they would most like to have on their team, and Kohli’s name resonated across the board. As the top batter in the game, Kohli is undoubtedly the one to watch. With two half-centuries already under his belt in the World Cup, he’s undoubtedly hungry for that coveted century.
Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Rizwan has consistently seized every opportunity that has come his way. Starting his journey as an opener in T20Is, he successfully transitioned into the number four spot in ODIs. In the current context, he stands as the most in-form batter in the Pakistani lineup.
With an impressive record that includes a fifty and a hundred in the two matches played so far, Rizwan has been a standout performer. His recent century against Sri Lanka was particularly remarkable because he not only reached the milestone but also saw the game through to its conclusion. His ability to anchor the innings and carry the team to victory was a testament to his exceptional skills and composure under pressure.
Rohit Sharma
In a single extraordinary game against Afghanistan, Rohit Sharma etched his name into the annals of cricketing history. He not only became the man with the most centuries in the World Cup but also claimed the title of the player with the most sixes in international cricket. Adding to this incredible feat, he blazed his way to the fastest century in World Cup history for India.
What makes this performance all the more astounding is that it occurred in the last game he played, solidifying his status as one of the most potent and formidable players heading into the upcoming clash.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav is currently India’s top spin bowler in the One-Day International (ODI) cricket format. He has been performing well in the ongoing tournament, taking three wickets up to this point. In a recent Asia Cup match last month, he achieved remarkable figures of 5/25, which means he took 5 wickets while giving away 25 runs. This impressive performance resulted in the Pakistan middle-order batters struggling. Meanwhile, other bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, and Hardik Pandya each managed to take one wicket. Yadav will once again play a crucial role in disrupting the middle-order batsmen of the opposing team, especially if Ashwin Ravichandran doesn’t return to the team. Ashwin had been dropped from the team in favor of Thakur in the previous match against Afghanistan.
What do the squads for India and Pakistan look like?
With Rohit Sharma leading the way as captain, the Indian cricket team places a substantial mantle of responsibility upon him, counting on his leadership and batting prowess as they set their sights on clinching a third World Cup title. The Indian squad boasts a cadre of key players who play pivotal roles in this collective pursuit. These players include, alongside Rohit Sharma, the likes of Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Siraj, who currently holds the prestigious position of being the top-ranked bowler in the ICC’s ODI Bowling Rankings.
Additionally, the team looks to stalwarts such as Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, among other talented individuals, to contribute significantly to their World Cup campaign. So far in the World Cup, India has showcased their mettle with impressive victories over Australia and Afghanistan.
In the Pakistan camp, the spotlight falls on their captain and star batsman, Babar Azam, who currently holds the prestigious title of the number one-ranked batsman in the latest ICC ODI Rankings. Under his astute leadership, Pakistan made significant strides in international cricket, reaching the semi-finals of the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the final of the 2022 edition, though they narrowly lost to England. As the entire nation looks on with hope, there’s a collective aspiration that their team will continue on this upward trajectory and secure the ODI World Cup this year.
Likewise, Babar Azam seeks crucial contributions from key players such as Shaheen Afridi, Mohammed Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Rauf, and Hassan Ali. These individuals are instrumental in Pakistan’s quest for their second ODI World Cup victory, with their previous triumph dating back to 1992. Moreover, it’s worth noting that this highly remarkable squad has had a strong start in the current World Cup, winning their first two games against Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav
Pakistan Squad: Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
How and where can you watch the India vs Pakistan ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match?
As with all other matches in the tournament, viewers in India can tune in to the live stream of the India vs. Pakistan clash in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 through Disney+ Hotstar. Disney+ Hotstar holds the official broadcasting rights for this region, ensuring fans can catch all the action.
India vs. Pakistan in World Cups throughout the years
| INDIA | VS | PAKISTAN |
| 7 | MATCHES | 7 |
| 7 | WON | 0 |
| 0 | LOST | 7 |
| 0 | TIED | 0 |
| INDIA VS PAKISTAN HEAD TO HEAD IN WORLD CUPS | |||
| Date | Winner | Venue | Result |
| March 4, 1992 | India | Sydney | India won by 43 runs |
| March 9, 1996 | India | Bengaluru | India won by 39 runs |
| June 8, 1999 | India | Manchester | India won by 47 runs |
| March 1, 2003 | India | Centurion | India won by 29 runs |
| March 30, 2011 | India | Mohali | India won by 29 runs |
| Feb 15, 2015 | India | Adelaide | India won by 76 runs |
| June 16, 2019 | India | Manchester | India won by 89 runs |
Although both India and Pakistan have been participants in the Cricket World Cup since its inception in 1975, it wasn’t until the 1992 edition that they finally crossed paths in this prestigious quadrennial event. This historic encounter took place at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, and it lived up to the hype. In a thrilling contest, India emerged victorious over its arch-rivals, securing a 43-run win. Sachin Tendulkar showcased his prowess both with the bat and the ball, leaving an indelible mark on the match.
However, one unforgettable moment from that match involved Pakistan’s Javed Miandad, who added a touch of drama by performing spot-jumps to humorously mimic the Indian wicketkeeper, Kiran More. This lighthearted yet memorable incident added a unique and entertaining dimension to a match that was significant in the history of India-Pakistan World Cup clashes.
In 1996, India once again found itself victorious against Pakistan in a World Cup showdown, this time securing a 39-run win. This match brought forth another memorable incident, following in the footsteps of Javed Miandad’s antics from the previous World Cup encounter. Aamir Sohail, in a bold and controversial move, struck a boundary off India’s Venkatesh Prasad and signaled for the ball to be retrieved from the boundary rope. Little did he know that this would set the stage for one of the most famous comebacks in the history of the ‘gentleman’s game.’
On the very next delivery, Prasad delivered a remarkable response by bowling Sohail out and, in a display of competitive spirit, gestured him toward the pavilion. This incident is etched in cricketing lore as one of the most iconic moments of on-field banter and rivalry, adding to the rich history of India-Pakistan encounters in the World Cup.
Building on their earlier World Cup victories in 1996, 1999, and 2003, India and Pakistan were once again poised for a high-stakes showdown in the semi-final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. This match, regarded as the grandest contest between the two cricketing giants in the realm of One Day International (ODI) cricket, was marked by its sheer magnitude and significance. With a coveted spot in the World Cup final on the line, Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, delivered a memorable performance, scoring 85 runs.
Tendulkar’s incredible display earned him his third ‘Player of the Match’ award in an India vs. Pakistan match. This outstanding performance was instrumental in guiding the Men in Blue to a hard-fought victory, securing their place in the summit clash with a win margin of 29 runs.
The India vs Pakistan match in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup witnessed the rise of a modern-day cricket great, Virat Kohli. He rose to the occasion with a masterful century as India convincingly defeated Pakistan by a margin of 76 runs. Kohli’s brilliant performance underscored his reputation as one of the finest contemporary batsmen in the cricketing world.
Fast forward to 2019, another legendary batsman of the present era, Rohit Sharma, took center stage. He took charge by amassing an impressive 140 runs against the Pakistani bowling attack. In a rain-affected encounter, India once again emerged victorious, this time by a substantial margin of 89 runs. This victory extended India’s lead over Pakistan in World Cup encounters to a commanding 7-0, solidifying their dominance in these high-stakes cricket clashes.
While India boasts a perfect win record against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup, the 2023 edition presents a fresh opportunity for Pakistan to rewrite history and secure their first-ever victory over the Men in Blue in this high-stakes tournament. Conversely, India finds itself under immense pressure to maintain their impeccable record against Pakistan, particularly on their home turf. The anticipation for this clash is palpable, and cricket enthusiasts around the world are eagerly awaiting the showdown.
Update: Shubman Gill Is Back
The cricket world held its breath when 24-year-old Shubman Gill, a rising star in the Indian cricket firmament, was sidelined after testing positive for dengue fever. This untimely setback saw him miss the crucial opening encounters against Australia and Afghanistan. However, there is a renewed sense of hope and anticipation as Gill makes his return to the practice nets, raising the possibility of his triumphant comeback in the much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday.
The Indian camp is brimming with optimism at the sight of Gill back in action. Nonetheless, a cloud of uncertainty lingers over whether the team will take the calculated risk of including the recovering Gill in what is undoubtedly a high-stakes ‘Battle Royale’ on the cricketing stage.