Much-awaited Pak-India World Cup match to take place at Narendra Modi Stadium

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is expected to host the India vs Pakistan match during the ICC 50-over World Cup scheduled for October-November. 

The BCCI has made the decision, anticipating a large number of fans from abroad for the fixture. With a seating capacity of 1 lakh, the Narendra Modi Stadium is the largest in the country.

The BCCI is expected to announce the World Cup schedule after the Indian Premier League is over. The tournament will kick off from October 5, with Nagpur, Bengaluru, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Rajkot, Indore, Bengaluru, and Dharamshala being short-listed as venues, even for practice fixtures.

The Indian team has requested the BCCI to allot fixtures against Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa to venues that aid spinners. They want slow pitches to maximize their home advantage, which they have been following over the past few years.

The BCCI has earmarked over Rs 500 crore to upgrade stadiums across the country before the 50-over World Cup. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said that the board will be upgrading its infrastructure, with clean toilets, easy access, and clean seats being the top priorities. All existing infrastructure in the country will be upgraded before the World Cup.

Pakistan could end up playing most of their matches in Chennai and Bengaluru due to security reasons. Kolkata’s Eden Gardens is also being considered as a venue. Bangladesh could also play most of their matches in Kolkata and Guwahati as it would reduce the travel distance for fans from the neighboring country.

Of the 13 venues shortlisted, only seven will host India’s league matches. Ahmedabad could be the only venue where India plays two matches, provided they make it to the final. The BCCI will take the call on allotment of matches to venues, but there's a strong chance of Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium hosting India’s match against Australia, while games against New Zealand, England, South Africa will be played in other centers where pitches will be slow.

The BCCI is planning to wrap up the matches in the country’s southern parts before the first week of November as it is the monsoon season. The state units have already given their wish list to the BCCI, but a call on allotment of matches to venues would be taken only by the BCCI.