In a first, ICC World Cup match in Lucknow to be held on Oct 29; India to host champions England

After successfully hosting 7 IPL 2023 games, Lucknow's Ekana stadium is all set to become a World Cup venue in this year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. We have confirmation that Lucknow will be the venue for at least one ODI World Cup match, which will be played between India and England on October 29.

How many more World Cup games will be played in Lucknow will be revealed only after the International Cricket Council (ICC) releases the official schedule.

As a result of the criticism that the Ekana pitch received during IPL 2023, the upper layers of all 9 pitches have been redrafted recently to make the wicket pacier and more bouncy. Having said that, the pitch at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium (aka Ekana stadium) in Lucknow is still expected to be relatively slower and spin-friendly.

As for the October 29 World Cup game in Lucknow, Ekana's spin-friendly wicket can provide the men in blue with the much-needed advantage against a strong England side which often struggles against quality spin bowling.

Irrespective of the result of that game, hosting ODI Cricket World Cup games is sure to be a moment of immense pride for Lucknow and every cricket enthusiast in the city.