India is set to kick off its 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup campaign with a match against defending champions Australia on October 7 in Cape Town, as revealed by the tournament schedule. The competition will see India playing in Group A, alongside teams like Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and a qualifying team labeled as Qualifier A.
One of the most anticipated fixtures of the group stage is India’s encounter with rivals Pakistan, scheduled for October 10 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. This match is expected to draw significant attention given the historical rivalry between the two cricketing nations.
The 2027 World Cup will be a 14-team tournament, jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Beyond their opening matches, India will continue their group stage journey facing Afghanistan on October 14 in Tshwane. They will then play against Qualifier A on October 17 in Bloemfontein, and conclude the group stage with a match against Zimbabwe on October 24 at Victoria Falls.
This initial schedule sets the stage for a competitive tournament, with India looking to assert their prowess on the world stage from the outset. The matches against Australia and Pakistan, in particular, are likely to be key tests of India’s form and strategy in the early phases of the World Cup.