Reports: Eden Gardens and Chepauk shortlisted for IND vs PAK WC clash

As things stand, the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata is very likely to host the marquee clash between India and Pakistan in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Reports however suggest that the venue is not yet confirmed as MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has also been shortlisted as a prospective venue for the high-voltage match. In case of an inconvenience springing up in Kolkata hosting the sensitive clash, Chennai could be awarded the match.

Eden Gardens has hosted multiple India versus Pakistan clashes in the past, including the one that was played in the T20 World Cup 2016. In the match, the MS Dhoni-led side defeated the Men in Green by six wickets as Virat Kohli played a brilliant knock of 55* runs off 37 deliveries. Previously in the 2011 ODI World Cup, the IS Bindra PCA Stadium of Mohali hosted the iconic Indo-Pak match which India won by 29 runs.

However, the drama concerning Pakistan’s participation on Indian soil is yet to get sorted as the Najam Sethi-led Pakistan Cricket Board had earlier asked the authorities to consider Bangladesh as an option to host Pakistan’s World Cup matches. Even though that’s very unlikely to happen, the discussions are still on as Pakistan and India are yet to come to a conclusion regarding this.

Meanwhile, as per reports, 12 venues have been finalised to host all the matches of the upcoming World Cup. Each venue is expected to host four matches while Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has been shortlisted to host the final.