Reports: Eden Gardens and Chepauk shortlisted to host India vs Pakistan clash in ODI World Cup 2023

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.

India's Asia Cup matches likely to be hosted outside Pakistan

Notably, the conversation regarding hosting Pakistan’s World Cup matches in Bangladesh began after India refused to play the Asia Cup on Pakistan's soil. PCB chief Sethi was initially against the idea, but eventually gave in to the proposal of conducting India's matches in another nearby country, provided ICC and BCCI honour their request regarding their stand on the World Cup venue. Countries such as the UAE, Oman and Sri Lanka are in the loop to host India's Asia Cup matches. 

It was after this decision of the BCCI that the PCB too gave it back by saying that the board won't send its team to partake in the coveted ICC World Cup if India boycotted the Asia Cup, as was earlier reported. 

However, if Pakistan indeed refuses to play in India and if ICC and BCCI grants permission, the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka might host the match, as has been reported by RevSportz. Nevertheless, ICC is yet to make any announcement regarding the same as the schedule and venue will only be announced after everything is finalised.