Aadya Sharma, at the venue for the opening act of the 2023 ODI World Cup, talks through the England-New Zealand fixture in Ahmedabad and everything else around it.
Right so, we’re World Cupping already. Feel it yet?
In the first innings of cricket’s biggest event*, my answer would have been a resounding no. But whenRachin Ravindra clenched his fist for the third time that night, New Zealand’s first second of each century, it really became clear that the big show was on. The defending champions were worryingly overwhelmed. Solid, well-planned and executed cricket won.
Ahmedabad’s support act did their best to get a good night’s sleep before the tournament. Four years after his appearance at Lord’s, the finalists reunited to restart the tradition. Perhaps they wanted to evoke a sense of nostalgia for happier pre-pandemic days.
During the run-up to the first game, discussions about this game became quite heated again. At the captain’s meeting and pre-match press conference, co-hosted by Eoin Morgan, the players were repeatedly asked questions about 2019. Unfortunately, Kane Williamson and Ben Stokes were left out. The real highlight was the contrasting courses of the two matches.
The only justification for these repeated mentions is how the general public perceives the England vs. New Zealand match. The opening match of the World Cup was always scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad, as was the final. The only thing missing from the magic formula was the Indian team and Indian players.
This city knows how to stage a spectacle. Five months ago, one of his most memorable IPL finals took place, backed by record attendance and a brave victory in the rain. This was preceded by a dazzling light and sound show, a statement performance for the entire world.
I was probably going to take it a little easier this time. Other than a large installation at the airport, there are no large signs welcoming you to the city or Opening Day. It’s hard not to get excited when you see Jos Buttler and Trent Boult. Such a thing cannot exist. Even for IPL, he needs four foreign players surrounded by seven Indians.
In 10 days, everything will magically work out, the stadium will be empty, and India and Pakistan will play each other.
As England’s innings progressed, much of the early discussion focused on turnout. The long, bright orange stalls on the first floor were mostly empty and stinging to the eye. It looks pretty when it’s full, but it can be just as annoying when it’s not.
Despite the scorching sun, around 35 degrees Celsius, and a crowded start at 2pm on a Thursday, the number of visitors was not shocking. By the evening, more seats had been filled, and the final seating capacity was estimated at more than 47,000. This is hardly an opening game, much less an away game against your own team.
At least three of the remaining four matches in Ahmedabad are expected to attract crowds in excess of this figure, with capacity more than 2.5 times higher.
Although limited, there were certainly representatives from England and New Zealand at the venue. As we entered the stadium, we saw small specks of blue (England blue) and gray jerseys in the crowd. Some of them were longtime supporters. I met an England fan who had been watching the World Cup for 50 years, and a New Zealand fan who had been watching the World Cup for about 30 years. Both were equally eager to start.
Locals seem to have temporarily switched their allegiance as their knowledge is shaped by the exploits of international superstars in the IPL. The taxi driver heading to the stadium was confident in the batting abilities of Butler and Stokes, but he was stunned to learn that Stokes would not play in the opening game. Some locals had decorated their England kits with promises to change them before the next match. Several others wore white and black and swore they had been New Zealand fans for years.
“The World Cup started at 2pm local time, but it only really began about four and a half hours later.”
Rachin Ravindra’s batting revelations have the power to change New Zealand’s World Cup expectations, says @ Ben_Wisden #CWC23
READ ⬇️https://t.co/2OylmqRdQz
– Wisden (@WisdenCricket) 5. October 2023
Inside the jersey, the usual suspects made the rounds. While the back with ‘Virat’ and ‘Dhoni’ written on it was easy to spot, the new addition ‘Gill’ has seen a surge in popularity since the mega IPL 2023 at home in Ahmedabad. It’s a team. There were also a few “Williamson” shirts (who would want to wear that?) and a few “Butler” shirts here and there.
Inside, Sachin Tendulkar, the biggest name to be mentioned to open the Indian cricket tournament, carried the trophy. Hours later, Tendulkar took the microphone and continued to exploit his brand value despite his questionable commentary skills. Crickets roaming around an empty orange room had to lighten the mood. No amount of repetition of Dil Jasun Bole, the most divisive World Cup anthem imaginable, could bring a convincing atmosphere to the festival.
“They were so far off the mark.”
The pundits praised England’s “truly disappointing” performance. #CWC23
READ ⬇️https://t.co/fsTss4zFxt
– Wisden (@WisdenCricket) 5. October 2023
Cricket finally got the job done thanks to some blockbuster action from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. As the lights came on, the crowd grew, Conway and Ravindra shined, and you could feel the World Cup atmosphere starting to set in.
You can imagine the excitement if a glittering opening ceremony was held before the India match. Maybe, just maybe, this World Cup isn’t about going to the stands, it’s about looking back at the early days of the format, which had a steady start and established itself. He is likely to start the next match in Ahmedabad within 10 days.
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