Mumbai, 30 September (H.S.): The schedule for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will be unveiled in Cape Town, South Africa, on October 1, marking the beginning of the one-year countdown to the tournament. The World Cup is scheduled to commence on October 2, 2027, with the final set to be played on November 21, 2027. A ticket ballot for fans will also open alongside the schedule announcement.

The schedule launch will be broadcast live from 8:30 p.m. on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network.

Ten of the 14 teams for the tournament had secured their places by the September 30 qualification cut-off. Hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe have qualified automatically, while India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have secured berths on the basis of the ICC ODI rankings. The remaining four places will be decided through a qualification tournament scheduled to be held early next year. Two-time world champions West Indies will also have to go through the qualifiers to earn a place in the main tournament.

Meanwhile, India’s batting greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are targeting a World Cup triumph for the national side in the upcoming tournament. The 2027 edition could be the final ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup for both players.

Former India captain Rohit Sharma, speaking to JioStar, expressed his desire to win the ODI World Cup. He said, “It would be wonderful to win the upcoming ODI World Cup. I do not want to look at it as the completion of any particular cycle right now. Winning the World Cup for India is a special feeling. I have experienced it twice in the T20 format.”

Referring to India’s triumphs at the 2007 and 2024 T20 World Cups, Rohit said the feeling of winning a World Cup remains with him and that he wants to experience it once again.

He said, “When we won the T20 World Cup in 2024, I realised how significant it was. That feeling is still very much within me. I know what it feels like to win a World Cup. So, I want to experience that feeling again.”

Kohli also indicated that the 2027 tournament would be his final World Cup for India and said his focus would remain firmly on winning the title. Speaking to JioStar, he said, “For me, this will be the last World Cup that I will play for India. And that is my motivation. I want to leave everything on the field. The goal, certainly, is to win the World Cup, and I am completely prepared to do whatever it takes.”

Kohli added, “My goal is to win as many matches as possible for the team, and my dream is to play a match-winning innings while chasing a target in the final. If that happens, it would be fantastic. If it does not happen but we win the World Cup, I will be equally happy. Ultimately, winning the World Cup trophy is what matters most.”

The schedule announcement for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will be available live from 8:30 p.m. on October 1 on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar