ICC unveils 2027 ODI World Cup schedule; India opens against Australia

The ICC released the 2027 ODI World Cup schedule on October 1 in Cape Town. The 14-team tournament runs from October 2 to November 21 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with 57 matches in a four-stage format. India opens against Australia in Cape Town on October 7 and meets Pakistan in Johannesburg on October 10, both in Group A. The top three teams from each group of six, plus the next-best side, advance to the Super 7 round-robin. The top four teams from the Super 7 move to the semifinals. India will play 13 matches if they reach the final, two more than finalists contested in 2023. Pre-seeding means India could face Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, England, South Africa and Sri Lanka in the Super 7 if all seeded sides qualify.