[ValarMorghulis]

ODI World Cup 2023 returns to India after more than a decade.

India buckled the trend of the host country never having won the World Cup for the first time in 2011 (though it was jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) and sent the entire nation into a never seen before frenzy. Streets were choked, people celebrated way into midnight and the next morning, and the entire nation reverberated with joy.

The teams are playing for a total of $10 million with the world cup winner taking home a cool $4 million. But more than the riches, the winning team will take home pride, prestige and a slice or eternal history and maybe, maybe the trophy of the last relevant ODI World Cup.

That said, ODI World Cup 2023 kick starts today with the defending champions England taking on the runners-up New Zealand.

My semi-finalists are:
1. India
2. Australia
3. England
4. New Zealand
I pip India to win this World Cup 2023.

Who are your semifinal favorites and the probable winner in your opinion?

[Eddy]

My semifinal pics - India, Australia, Pakistan. The fourth one can be either England or SA. I dont think England has the bowling to win this WC. NZ are underdogs, as usual but they look a little unsettled.

On a side note, anyone interested in competing in the official fantasy game? If yes, please join the following contest

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[AtheK]

Woah!! Empty stadium for the World cup opener, speaks volumes about the downfall of the ODI format in recent times. So sad to see the last WC finalist starting the World cup campaign in front of empty stands. I am sure it will fill up a bit as the day progress (Thursday being a working day) but would have been good to see a sizeable crowd right from start.

It's high time ICC puts a lid on this format, taking out 8+ hours a day to just watch it on TV is painful obviously it is much tougher to go watch it in stadium with limited amenities and scorching heat.

Well, atleast it is not raining.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Woah!! Empty stadium for the World cup opener,...

Very surprising! Granted India is not playing and it's a working day, but still, these are 2 top teams! I guess people will come in post-work?

But does this mean stadiums aren't being sold out for non-India matches? Anyone has any idea if tickets are still available for non-India matches?

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by am1m

Very surprising! Granted India is not playing and it's a working day, but still, these are 2 top teams! I guess people will come in post-work?

But does this mean stadiums aren't being sold out for non-India matches? Anyone has any idea if tickets are still available for non-India matches?

Oh I had to struggle to get Pak vs Aus match tickets for bangalore, everything was sold out. They have opened another stand worth 5000 now, which has availability. Quick look at BMS for today's match shows tickets available across the board.

Hopefully crowd builds up.

[Eddy]

Even I am surprised at the turnout. It is one of the best stadiums in India and top teams are playing. I am sure the crowd will build up!

[am1m]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Quick look at BMS for today's match shows tickets available across the board.

Yeah, just checked BMS too and looks like tickets are still available for the Eng vs. Aus match at Ahmedabad on Nov 4 and saw some tickets available for Aus vs SA at Lucknow as well.

Perhaps BCCI released additional tickets later and those are now available.

[Shumi_21]

My semifinal picks:
India
England
Australia/SA
Pakistan/NZ

Starting now, I'm throwing all logic and sense out of the window to support Rohit and Co every step of the way to lifting the cup on November 19. Anyone who tells me it's a stupid thing to do will be drowned out by loud chants of "Jeetega Bhai Jeetega.......India Jeetega!!!"

[NomadSK]

My want for the SF's pick would be;

1) India
2) Australia
3) Pakistan
4) Afghanistan

At the same time in sub-continent conditions Srilankans would be a hard nut to crack. And and, India Vs Pakistan would be cracker of a final.

Cheers

[NPV]

Couple months ago, I was thinking India didn't have the right balance given the injury woes and lack of ODI games being played. However, in the last 3 weeks, with the return of some players from injury breaks, I feel we have good balance as well as more options to juggle players around a bit now.

I think India definitely is a semi-final contender and then anything can happen, hoping Rohit's boys will do us proud after Kapil and MS Dhoni

[arnav17]

My picks for the semi final :

India
Australia
Pakistan
England

Buttler dismisses 'defending champions' tag: 'It's irrelevant to me'
"I want us to attack, so I don't like the word 'defending'... it may be a motivation for certain teams when they've been in that position, but not for us"

In response to BHpian ValarMorghulis

The empty stands today are a shocker though.

[ghodlur]

I would definitely love to watch India vs Australia final. My SF choice would be India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan.

I am missing West Indies, they were unpredictable but surely a strong team. Its unfortunate they aren't there.

I am wondering who are Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 are?

[Neversaygbye]

Has anyone who has purchased tickets through BMS received them? I managed to get two tickets to the Pakistan vs Bangladesh game at Eden Gardens but there is no clarity from BMS on either the seat numbers (just the stand number is mentioned) nor on when I can expect to get the tickets. BMS just shows the purchase confirmation along with the amount paid and the courier charges.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by ValarMorghulis

maybe, maybe the trophy of the last relevant ODI World Cup.

Most probably this might be the last ODI WC considering the format is pretty much dead !

[Emvi]

Fantastic cricket from the Kiwis in the opening match of the ODI world cup. It looks like England is going to be drubbed massively by New Zealand for all my money. Well, cricket is a funny game and it's not over until it's over.

I see quite a few comments on low turnout for the match. I missed watching the first half of the match. Watching the second half, I feel the turnout is more than decent for a match not involving the host nation. Agreed, top teams are playing, but, let us not forget that the stadium they are playing in is the world's biggest with a seating capacity of 132k. That means, even a match attendance of 25-30 percent equates to 33k to 40k(approx.) cricket fans in the stadium, which definitely is not a small number. Just for reference, Lord's has a seating capacity of around 31k.