World Cup 2027 schedule: India open against Australia, face Pakistan three days later
ICC has announced the fixtures for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. India's campaign starts with a 2023 final rematch in Cape Town, and the India vs Pakistan game is on 10 October in Johannesburg.
The ICC has released the fixtures for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, and India's campaign starts with a bang. Shubman Gill's side open against Australia in Cape Town on Thursday, 7 October, a rematch of the 2023 final, and then take on Pakistan in Johannesburg three days later.
The tournament runs from 2 October to 21 November 2027 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with the final at Johannesburg on 21 November.
World Cup 2027 groups
Fourteen teams will take part. They are split into two groups of six:
- Group A: India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Qualifier A
- Group B: New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, Qualifier B
The top team from the World Cup Qualifier goes straight into the group stage. The other three qualifiers play a short Super Series for the last place.
India's World Cup 2027 schedule
- Thursday, 7 October: India vs Australia, Cape Town
- Sunday, 10 October: India vs Pakistan, Johannesburg
- Thursday, 14 October: India vs Afghanistan, Tshwane
- Sunday, 17 October: India vs Qualifier A, Bloemfontein
- Sunday, 24 October: India vs Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls
After the group stage comes a new Super 7 phase, then the semi-finals on 17 and 18 November in Cape Town and Tshwane. The final is in Johannesburg on Sunday, 21 November, with 22 November as a reserve day.
India vs Australia: a 2023 final rematch to start
The fixture list gives India the toughest possible start. The last time these two teams met at a World Cup was the 2023 final in Ahmedabad, when Travis Head's hundred won Australia their sixth title and broke Indian hearts in front of a full house.
Opening against the defending champions in Cape Town means India will have to be at their best from day one. A win would set the tone for the whole tournament; a defeat would put pressure on them with Pakistan just three days away.
India vs Pakistan: 10 October, Johannesburg
The biggest game of the group stage is on a Sunday in Johannesburg. India have never lost to Pakistan in an ODI World Cup. They lead 8-0, with the most recent win coming by seven wickets in Ahmedabad in 2023.
With both teams in Group A, they are guaranteed at least one meeting, and the new Super 7 stage and knockouts leave room for another.
The message for India
India go into this World Cup in strong form. They have just chased 406 against West Indies in Guwahati, with Shubman Gill making the fastest double hundred in ODI history, and their bowling has wicket-takers like Kuldeep Yadav, who recently passed 200 ODI wickets.
The schedule asks a simple question: can this team handle pressure from the very first ball? Australia and Pakistan in the space of four days will test India's batting on South African pitches that offer pace and bounce, and their bowlers' ability to defend totals at grounds like the Wanderers.
There is also some history to put right. The last time South Africa hosted the World Cup, in 2003, India reached the final in Johannesburg and lost to Australia. The 2027 final is at the same venue. India's last ODI World Cup title came in 2011.
Where to watch World Cup 2027 in India
Broadcast details for India will be confirmed closer to the tournament. Check tryball.in for India's full World Cup 2027 schedule, IST start times, TV channels and live-streaming apps as they are announced.