India takes on Bangladesh in World Cup opener

After a rousing opening ceremony greeted with passion and unbridled joy by the people here, the ICC ODI World Cup is all set for its lung-opener. India will meet Bangladesh in the inaugural match at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium here on Saturday.

The 10th edition of the premier ODI event, held every four years, will feature 14 countries. The teams will be divided into two groups and the games will be spread across India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The top four sides in each pool will progress to the knock-out phase that begins with a quarterfinal duel in Mirpur on March 23. The final will be played at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on April 2.

Triumphant in the last three editions of the World Cup in 1999, 2003 and 2007, Australia might have to fight hard to retain the title in this part of the world. There is no clear favourite and the non-subcontinental teams will need to adapt quickly to the conditions. Spin, reverse swing and batting in the Power Play overs will be major factors.

The World Cup, which began in 1975 in England, has kept pace with changing times. The tournament has evolved from a 60-overs-a-side competition played in whites and with a red ball. It has embraced coloured clothing, 50-overs-a-side innings, day/night games, white ball, field restrictions, innovations in umpiring, and different formats.

Australia has won the World Cup four times, including the 1987 event in the subcontinent when Allan Border's men achieved a path-breaking triumph. Clive Lloyd's all-conquering West Indies was the winner in 1975 and 1979. Kapil Dev's inspired men bucked the odds in 1983 in Old Blighty. Pakistan, led magnificently by Imran Khan, stunned the field down under in 1992. Interestingly, the versatile Sri Lanka triumphed in 1996, the last time the competition was held in the subcontinent.

This World Cup will feature the Umpire Decision Review System from the quarterfinals. And Super Over will decide a contest in the event of a tie in the knock-out phase.

Source: The Hindu