2023: Marquee cricketing events set to keep fans thrilled for the whole Year

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2023 has arrived, and a new chapter in the lives of millions of cricket fans around the world has begun. Fans are looking forward to the entertainment that the gentleman’s game provides with each ball and bat swing after the wild ride that was 2022. Several marquee cricketing events are scheduled for this year, and fans are hoping that their favourite players will continue to smash fours and sixes, dismantle stumps, and their favourite teams will finally win gold.

1). ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

On February 10, the eighth edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will begin.

This year’s main event will be held in South Africa.

Australia, led by stars such as Meg Lanning, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, and others, will be aiming for their sixth title.

They will, however, face stiff competition throughout the tournament, particularly from India, South Africa, New Zealand, and England.

2). Indian Premier League (IPL)

The Indian Premier League will return for its 16th season to entertain fans.

Though the dates have not been officially announced, the excitement for this competition has remained consistent and will continue this year.

Last year’s IPL Mini Auction saw some interesting picks, with England’s Sam Curran going to Punjab Kings for a whopping 18.5 crore INR, Ben Stokes going to Chennai Super Kings for 16.25 crore INR, and Australia’s Cameron Green going to Mumbai Indians for 17.5 crore INR. All-rounders dominated the auction.

With some changes set across all the franchises due to this auction, fans will be excited to see which stars will play what role for their favourite franchises in the upcoming season of the league.

Gujarat Titans, who stunned the cricketing world by playing some of the most thrilling matches of 2022 under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, will be looking forward to retaining the prize that they captured on their debut.

3). Women’s IPL

Over the years, the idea of Women’s IPL was discussed and debated heavily, with many men and women cricketers/experts hoping that it would happen and open the floodgates to change for many players, who will get exposure of playing with international stars, which will bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.

The hype and excitement around the maiden edition of the tournament will also help it bring eyeballs to women’s cricket like never before.

The BCCI confirmed that it will happen in 2023, but dates have not announced yet.

4). The Ashes

The most storied rivalry in cricket history, between England and Australia, will return to delight fans.

This competition defined by exciting cricket, unbridled sledging and intensity, heavy press conferences, and a plethora of star power on both sides.

England will play the hosts this time from June 16 to July 31, hoping to reclaim the iconic Ashes urn, which has become a pictorial representation of this hotly contested rivalry that can burn down careers and create new stars in a single stroke.

It could also be veteran Australian opener David Warner’s final Ashes series.

5). Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The previous Border-Gavaskar Trophy, an intense Test cricket series between India and Australia has a special place in the hearts of millions as it saw a young, fearless Team India overcome the absence of star batter Virat Kohli, poor performance in the first Test which saw them get skittled out for 36 runs, injuries, racial abuse and a world-class Australian team to clinch the series 2-1 and breach the fortress that was ‘The Gabba’ i.e The Brisbane Cricket Ground and walk away with the gold. A lot of stars made during that series, such as Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill.

In their home territory this time from February 9 onwards, Team India will be looking forward to preying on the Aussies, which has not won a Test series in India since 2004. Turning pitches will offer a lot of help to spinners like Nathan Lyon, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel.

The series will also be a battle of some of the best batters in the game, with star batters Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Steve Smith, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne being the key for their respective sides.

With so much star power loaded across both sides, the battle for the ICC World Test Championship final between the top two Test sides will be a treat to watch.

6). Asia Cup

The 2023 Asia Cup will take place in the ODI format. After India failed to make a mark in the previous edition last year, the Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue will be looking forward to overcoming the heartbreak of the final four-stage exit last year to capture their eighth title.

7). ICC Cricket World Cup

The marquee event in cricket will conclude what promises to be an action-packed year in 2023.

The event will take place from October to November 2023 and will be the year’s final major event. England, who have crowned champions for the first time in the previous edition, will be looking forward to defending their title on difficult pitches in India.

India will host the event in its entirety for the first time, after co-hosting it in 1987, 1996, and 2011.

The Men in Blue, led by Rohit Sharma, will go all out in home conditions to win cricket’s biggest prize for the third time and their first ICC major title since the 2011 World Cup.