The eagerly anticipated ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is just on the horizon with less than 24 hours remaining. It is set to excite cricket fans worldwide as it kicks off on October 5. The tournament’s opening clash is bound to be a riveting showdown between the finalists of the previous edition, England and New Zealand. The stage for this spectacle is none other than the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Before the World Cup commences on the 5th of October, all the 10 participating teams took part in the warm-up matches. However, many of the matches had to be abandoned or cut short due to rain. With the World Cup opener on the 5th of October, what does weather say is the most important question among any cricket fan.
Historically, this time of the year in India typically boasts favorable weather conditions, however, this year has been quite different to other years. There has been persistent rain throughout the country which may lead to some occasional rain-affected match in the global extravaganza.
Despite all the rain throughout the country, cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai, and Kolkata are expected to play host to matches with minimal weather disruptions. Conversely, other host cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Dharamsala may encounter rain interruptions, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to the tournament.
In the unfortunate event of rain impacting matches, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method could come into play. This method offers a comprehensive approach, factoring in the remaining overs and wickets as valuable resources to recalibrate the target based on the available resources. Or, else we have to be prepared for an abandoned match.
Cricket enthusiasts will remember the rain-marred Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, which left many disheartened due to frequent interruptions. Fortunately, the ODI World Cup 2023 in India is expected to face fewer extensive disruptions.
October and November mark the gradual conclusion of the rainy season in India, meaning there might still be a few rain-affected matches, especially in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Dharamsala.
While much of the nation experiences showers during this period, Ahmedabad stands out as a beacon of clear skies on Thursday, October 5. The weather forecast predicts scorching daytime temperatures reaching up to 36°C. However, as night falls, the temperature is expected to dip to a more comfortable 28°C.
Rain may not be a concern, but team captains and bowlers should remain wary of the looming dew factor, which is anticipated to descend late in the evening during the second innings of matches.
Meanwhile, the hosts Team India, led by captain Rohit Sharma, is gearing up for their own campaign in the competition, slated to commence on October 8. Their first challenge will be against Australia, and the venue for the match is the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Unfortunately, India’s preparations for this grand event have been hampered by unrelenting rain, leading to the cancellation of their warm-up matches against England and the Netherlands on the 30th September and 3rd October respectively.
