From weather reports, to stats to key battles to look out for, all you need to know.
Last Updated: 08.45 PM, Oct 13, 2023
The highly-anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is scheduled for October 14 in Ahmedabad. India-Pakistan cricket matches are renowned for their fierce competition, drawing significant global viewership.
It is expected that millions of cricket fans, unable to attend the stadium, will flock to restaurants, bars, street markets, and malls to witness this high-voltage match.
Adding to the excitement, Indian Railways has announced the operation of two special trains on the day, travelling from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, to accommodate the "extra rush of cricket fans," as stated on its website.
In preparation for the event, the Ahmedabad police have issued a notification designating the city as a "no-drone zone."
Musical ceremony before the India-Pakistan match:
The ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023, hosted in India, did not feature an opening ceremony. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has arranged a pre-match event before India vs Pakistan match. This event will see performances by renowned Bollywood singers Arijit Singh, Shankar Mahadevan, and Sukhwinder Singh from 12:30 PM onwards. Following this musical spectacle, the toss is planned for 1:30 PM.
Battles to watch out for:
The key battles to watch out for will feature Rohit Sharma vs Shaheen Shah Afridi, Virat Kohli vs Haris Rauf, Babar Azam against Jasprit Bumrah, and Iftikhar Ahmed taking on Kuldeep Yadav.
Rohit Sharma, although having faced difficulties against the left-arm pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi in recent encounters, demonstrated his ability to handle the pacer during the Asian Games 2023.
Virat Kohli was challenged by the formidable Haris Rauf in a high-pressure run chase at the T20 World Cup in Melbourne last year.
India vs Pakistan past records:
- Most overall wins: Pakistan leads with 73 victories in 134 ODIs.
- Most ODI World Cup wins: India boasts a perfect record of 7 wins in 7 matches.
- Highest team total: India achieved 356 for 9 in Visakhapatnam on April 5, 2005, and 356 for 2 in Colombo on September 11, 2023.
- Lowest team total: India was dismissed for a mere 79 runs in 34.2 overs on October 13, 1978, in Sialkot.
- Largest winning margin: India secured a resounding 228-run victory on September 11, 2023, in Colombo.
When, where and how to watch India vs Pakistan:
The India vs Pakistan match will be broadcast live on Indian television through the Star Sports channels. Indian viewers can also access free live streaming of the matches via the Disney+Hotstar app and website.
In addition, social media powerhouse Meta has collaborated with the ICC for World Cup 2023 coverage across platforms including Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Threads. The match is scheduled to commence at 2 PM.
India vs Pakistan match: Weather prediction
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has provided a positive outlook by predicting clear skies on October 14. The IMD Gujarat emphasized that in the event of light or moderate rain, it is expected to affect only specific areas and is unlikely to disrupt the match.