New Delhi: It doesn’t get any bigger than this; ICC on Tuesday announced the fixtures of the World Cup 2015 in Wellington. What’s more in a bid to grab the maximum eyeballs defending champions India begin their campaign against arch rivals Pakistan on February 15 in Adelaide.
Australia and New Zealand jointly host the quadrennial event from February 14 to March 29 with the two hosts taking on their respective rivals at their home grounds. The final will be played at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 29. For the record, India have never lost to Pakistan in any of their five World Cup clashes so far.
Still a match between the two arch-rivals soar the television ratings to newer heights and ICC plans to use that fervour for maximum impact.
The Men in Blue have been slotted in Pool B which also has teams like South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland and a Qualifier, apart from Pakistan. Later in the tournament, India take on Zimbabwe at Eden Park, Auckland on March 14, South Africa in Melbourne on February 22, Qualifier 4 in Perth on February 28, West Indies in Perth on March 6 and Ireland in Hamilton on March 10.
The other pool consists of England, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand and two qualifier. Considering Pool A teams in mind, the Indians will definitely have an easy go in their pool games.
Looking ahead to the tournament, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said: “It only seems like yesterday that we won the ICC World Cup 2011 in front of a passionate and supportive home crowd. “World Cup is a very special event for every cricketer because it only takes place every four years. Having tasted success in Mumbai in 2011, we’ll be working very hard to retain it.”
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