প্রকাশ্যে ভারত-পাক মহারণের দিনক্ষণ, কিন্তু কলকাতায় পেল এই বড় ম্যাচ!

Due to political tensions and security concerns, Pakistan has refused to play in India. As a result, the ICC has introduced a “hybrid model.” According to this arrangement, all of Pakistan’s group-stage matches will be held in Sri Lanka. Even if Pakistan makes it to the semifinals, those matches too will take place there. And if India and Pakistan meet in the final? That match will also be played at a neutral venue.

While this decision enhances security assurances, it has also stirred mixed emotions among cricket fans in both countries. An India–Pakistan match is synonymous with intensity, emotion, and electrifying atmosphere — and this time, that atmosphere will engulf the stands of Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium.

India will begin their campaign on 7 February in Mumbai against the USA. But all eyes are unmistakably fixed on 15 February — the day the two neighbours collide in Colombo. More than just cricket, the match will spark political chatter, media frenzy, and a tidal wave of fan emotion.

In their recent meetings, India has maintained dominance, but in the T20 format, Pakistan is always dangerous. Colombo’s humid pitch, the evening dew factor, and the psychological element of a neutral venue — all of these could make the match unpredictably thrilling.

India’s group is comparatively easier, but the Pakistan match remains the toughest challenge for Suryakumar Yadav’s squad. This will be Suryakumar’s first World Cup as captain, and millions of eyes will be watching his sharp cricketing mind and innovative batting under pressure.

Pakistan, too, may arrive with a refreshed team. Their combination of skilled bowling and unpredictable batting has often troubled India. Their strong record on neutral grounds adds another layer of caution for India.

At a time when political relations between the two nations remain strained, Sri Lanka will provide a diplomatically balanced and welcoming stage for the most anticipated match of the tournament — with the stadium filled with flags of both countries and fierce rivalry in the stands.

বিশ্বকাপে ভারত থেকে বঞ্চিত বাংলা, এমন কি ঘটল?

India will begin their campaign on 7 February in Mumbai, playing against the USA. The most high-profile clash — India vs Pakistan — will be held on 15 February, not in India but in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Under the hybrid model, all of Pakistan’s matches, including a potential semifinal, will be hosted in Sri Lanka. If India and Pakistan both reach the final, that match too will be held at a neutral venue.

However, one major surprise is that Kolkata’s Eden Gardens did not get a single India match in the group stage. This has already triggered political debates and discussions.

Is the Group Stage Easy for Suryakumar Yadav’s Team?

India has been placed in a relatively easy group. Apart from Pakistan, their group includes the Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA.

India vs USA – 7 February, Mumbai

India vs Namibia – 12 February, Delhi

India vs Netherlands – 18 February, Ahmedabad

World Cup Venues

Although World Cups generally have eight venues, due to the hybrid model, eight venues have been shared between India and Sri Lanka.

India’s five venues: Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi

Sri Lanka’s three venues: Colombo, Kandy, Galle

Group Distribution

Group A: India, Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia, USA

Group B: Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman

Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy

Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada

India’s Full Schedule

7 Feb: India vs USA — Mumbai

12 Feb: India vs Namibia — Delhi

15 Feb: India vs Pakistan — Colombo

18 Feb: India vs Netherlands — Ahmedabad

Knockout Schedule

Semifinals — 4 March: Kolkata and Colombo

Final — 8 March: Ahmedabad
(But if Pakistan reaches the final, it will be held in Colombo.)

In the latest ICC rankings, Rohit leads with 781 points. Gill dropped to third place, while Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran claimed the second spot with 764 points. Virat Kohli, who showed signs of revival with an unbeaten 74 in the third ODI, now sits sixth with 725 points. Shreyas Iyer, despite not batting in the third match, climbed to ninth in the rankings.

This achievement holds extra significance amid growing speculation about Rohit’s ODI future. With Gill taking over the ODI captaincy just before the series in Australia, many had wondered whether the veteran opener was nearing retirement in this format. Yet, Rohit’s sublime performances in Adelaide and Sydney, including two exceptional innings, demonstrated that he still has plenty to offer. Despite his success, he hinted that this might be his last tour of Australia. “Always love coming here and playing here. Fond memories of 2008. I’m not sure if we’ll be coming back to Australia, but we enjoy our cricket no matter what accolades we achieve,” he reflected.

Rohit’s rise to the top of the rankings also breaks a historic record. By claiming the No. 1 position at 38 years and 182 days, he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar, who last held the top spot in Tests at 38 years and 73 days in 2011, becoming the oldest batter ever to lead the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings. This marks Rohit’s first reign at the summit of the ODI batting charts — a remarkable achievement for a player in the latter stages of his international career. His 33rd ODI century, which also marked his 50th international century across formats, capped off a record-breaking series and reinforced his enduring class and consistency.

Rohit’s performance in Australia also saw him gain 36 rating points, moving from 741 to 781, which was enough to displace Shubman Gill from the top. Gill, who had been the No. 1 batter since late 2023, slipped to third, with Zadran taking the second position. Despite Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 74 in the final ODI, he dropped one place to sixth, while Shreyas Iyer rose to ninth.

This resurgence is especially remarkable given Rohit’s previous career-high of No. 2 during the 2019 World Cup, where he had amassed five centuries and reached a peak rating of 882 points. His recent tour of Australia added multiple new records to his illustrious career. He surpassed Virender Sehwag’s tally of 15,758 runs across formats as an Indian opener, achieving it in 11 fewer innings. He also equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 45 international hundreds as an opener, second only to David Warner globally, and matched Tendulkar’s nine ODI centuries against Australia, though in just 49 innings compared to Tendulkar’s 70.

Additionally, his century in Sydney made him the second-oldest Indian to score an ODI hundred, behind Tendulkar, and extended his tally to 14 hundreds in SENA countries — the highest by any visiting batter in those conditions.

Rohit Sharma’s remarkable resurgence at an age when many players have retired not only highlights his extraordinary skill and fitness but also sets a new benchmark for longevity and consistency in modern cricket. His achievement as the oldest-ever ICC No. 1 ODI batter is a fitting testament to his enduring excellence and unwavering dedication to the sport.