Hosts India to travel at least 8,400 kilometres during World Cup 2023 campaign

THE Indian cricket team led by Rohit Sharma will be the most travelled team among the top contenders for this year's cricket world cup scheduled in October and November.

It has been reported that the hosts will travel nearly 8,400 kilometres to play their nine league matches in as many locations in 34 days. In case they make it to the semi-final and final, the distance will add up to 9,700 kilometres for 11 games in 42 days.

World Cup 2023 fixtures out: India-Pakistan clash in Ahmedabad on October 15

The Indian players will finish their 100-over games in the marquee tournament around 11 pm local time and will have a flight to catch every third day.

When India play at home, they usually travel by charter flights and not by commercial flights which reduces the duration and distance travelled considerably but business class is not available always.

Little leg space will make it tough for fast bowlers. India is the only team that will play league games in each of the nine cities.

All other prominent teams play at least two games in one city.

India will kick off their campaign against former world champions Australia in Chennai on October 5. They will then play Afghanistan in Delhi (Oct 11); Pakistan in Ahmedabad (Oct 15); Bangladesh in Pune (Oct 19); New Zealand in Dharamsala (Oct 22); England in Lucknow (Oct 29); against one of the qualifiers in Mumbai (November 2); South Africa in Kolkata (Nov 5) and the other qualifier in Bengaluru (Nov 11).

"In case of Indian team, you can't deny any of the nine associations a chance to watch their stars in action. You had to accommodate each and every member association and hence it's a bit choc-a-bloc," a BCCI official told PTI on Tuesday (27).

Also the schedule is such that first team players won't get any time for net sessions between the games as there is hardly a three-day gap. Most sessions will be optional ones keeping the physical condition of players in mind.

Defending champions England are another team that travel nearly as much as India (around 8,171 kilometres) with no two back-to-back games in a single city.

The Jos Buttler-led team, though, has two games scheduled in Ahmedabad.

(With PTI inputs)