The tournament commences as India emerges as the global hub of the sport, offering Prime Minister Narendra Modi the chance to showcase the nation in the city of Ahmedabad.
In a critically significant year for India and its leader, Narendra Modi, the Cricket World Cup is poised to thrust the country into the spotlight. Beginning on Thursday, the ICC Men's World Cup 2023 arrives at a time when India has firmly established itself as the center of the sport, attracting substantial domestic and international sponsors who seek to tap into its colossal consumer base of 1.4 billion. After a hiatus of 12 years, India is hosting the tournament, during which time its cricket governing body has become one of the wealthiest sports institutions worldwide.
"India is comparable to Mecca for cricket," remarked Ayaz Memon, a seasoned journalist and commentator who has closely followed the sport for decades. "It has revolutionized the way the game is played and has become the epicenter."
The event also presents an opportunity for Narendra Modi to showcase his native state of Gujarat. At Ahmedabad, the state's largest city, the Narendra Modi Stadium—formerly known as the Sardar Patel Stadium—boasts an impressive seating capacity of 130,000. The stadium will host the opening ceremony on Wednesday and the inaugural match between England and New Zealand. The hosts will face their long-standing rivals, Pakistan, on October 14, with the stadium serving as the venue for the final on November 19, followed by the closing ceremony.
The immense anticipation surrounding the World Cup has drawn an unprecedented influx of visitors to Ahmedabad, which has not been traditionally regarded as a tourist destination. Escalated hotel prices have prompted visitors to seek alternatives, such as reserving hospital beds, according to local media reports. Additionally, many individuals from the Indian diaspora, referred to as non-resident Indians, are flocking to the city to stay with their families during the tournament, as stated by Ashish Koshti, the manager of the Instagram account Amazing Amdavad, utilizing the Gujarati pronunciation of the city's name.
The World Cup also aids Modi's endeavor to reshape global perceptions of the city. Following the devastating anti-Muslim riots in 2002, which transpired during Modi's tenure as chief minister of Gujarat, he has endeavored to make the state a more business-friendly destination by streamlining bureaucratic processes. The accomplishments of these reforms helped catapult Modi onto the national stage in 2014.
Earlier this year, Modi extended an invitation to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to partake in a lap of honor at the Ahmedabad stadium prior to a match between their respective teams. Furthermore, the Indian Prime Minister hosted a public event with former US President Donald Trump at the same venue in 2021. The success of the World Cup may further bolster Modi's prospects of securing his position ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled for next year.
"Modi has demonstrated astute political acumen and impeccable timing," stated Binoy Kampmark, a senior lecturer at RMIT University's School of Global, Urban, and Social Studies in Australia. "And what could be more opportune than capitalizing on India's most beloved sport?"
However, the decision to predominantly host key games in Gujarat has garnered criticism from Indian politicians and fans, questioning why other cities, particularly those not widely recognized as cricket hotspots, have been overlooked. A total of 10 Indian cities will host matches, ranging from Bengaluru in the south to the scenic town of Dharamsala in the Himalayas, where the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium accommodates a modest 23,000 spectators.
Earlier this year, the sports minister of Punjab sent letters to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, inquiring why the city of Mohali in the northwestern state was excluded from the list of host cities. One such letter was addressed to Secretary Jay Shah, known for his close ties to Modi's party. Similarly, opposition lawmaker Shashi Tharoor questioned the omission of his constituency, Thiruvananthapuram in the state of Kerala, during a television interview in June.
"That cannot be merely coincidental," Tharoor remarked on NDTV, alluding to the fact that Ahmedabad is hosting the "two most high-profile matches": England versus Australia and India versus Pakistan.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson declined to comment, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not respond to the request for a statement.
The persistent scheduling of matches in Ahmedabad has also evoked criticism from fans due to poor planning. For instance, India changed the date of the highly anticipated match against Pakistan by a day, as it coincided with Navratri—an immensely popular festival in northern and western India—thus disrupting the schedule of other games.
Despite the political discord and logistical challenges, Memon, the cricket commentator, opined that the World Cup will command the conversation in the coming months. "It will be an incessant celebration," he likened it to the energetic dance performed at Indian weddings known as 'baraat.'
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