AHMEDABAD: The 10 team captains at the Cricket World Cup took part in a photo shoot at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday on the eve of the tournament, with India’s Rohit Sharma looking forward to seeing the venue “jam packed” with home fans.
The tournament kicks off on Thursday with England playing New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final. While 10 venues across India will host games, this year’s final will also be played at the 134,000-seater in Ahmedabad on Nov. 19.
Sharma is under immense pressure to emulate his countryman MS Dhoni’s achievement in 2011 and lift the trophy in November. It has been a decade since cricket-mad India won an ICC trophy.
“Winning the ODI World Cup is something that I have always dreamt of growing up as a child,” Sharma said. “Indian fans are going to love this tournament here. This stadium is going to be jam packed because people in India love their team, but they love their cricket as well. It is going to be a great tournament.”
The highlight of the tournament, all captains agreed, will undoubtedly be the much-anticipated game between archrivals India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad on Oct. 14, which is sure to draw a massive global audience.
“There aren’t too many events where half the world tunes in to watch, and that is India playing Pakistan in a World Cup for you,” Australia captain Pat Cummins said. “Even if you are personally not involved, you watch and feel the passion around the game. There will be easily over 100,000 people here.”
It is the first time in seven years that a Pakistan team is visiting India, and captain Babar Azam was impressed by the reception his team has received.
“We were not expecting this, but the way Indian people have responded to us, everyone in our team has enjoyed it,” Azam said. “We have been in Hyderabad for a week, but it feels like we are at home. It is a golden opportunity for us to give 100 percent and enjoy this tournament.”
India captain Sharma looks forward to ‘jam packed’ venues when Cricket World Cup starts
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India captain Sharma looks forward to ‘jam packed’ venues when Cricket World Cup starts
- 10 venues across cricket-mad India will host the World Cup matches from Oct. 5 till Nov. 19
- Pakistan and India will lock horns on Oct. 14 for an electrifying clash in Ahmedabad
Scotland Yard returns to action as JSCA Cup headlines weekend racing in Riyadh
RIYADH: Scotland Yard, winner of the 2025 Tuwaiq Cup, is set to make his seasonal debut when he tops a field of six runners for the Group 3 JSCA Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday.
The SR165,000 ($44,000) feature over 1,800 meters marks the return of the Nicolas Bachalard-trained six-year-old, who enjoyed a highly successful campaign last season. Ridden once again by champion jockey Adel Al-Fouraidi, the US-bred gelding won three of his four starts, highlighted by a dominant near six-length victory on Saudi Cup weekend.
Scotland Yard faces a competitive lineup, led by the Red Stable’s Wait To Excel, runner-up in recent domestic company and eighth in the Saudi Cup. The White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is represented by Electability, while Thamer Al-Daihani saddles Man Of The Night, with Ricardo Ferreira taking the ride.
Saturday’s supporting card features the SR150,000 Saeed Al-Majed Cup over 2,000 meters, where Lucas Gaitan’s Saudi Derby winner Al-Waqqad makes his third start of the season under Alexis Moreno. The four-year-old finished well back behind Scotland Yard in the Tuwaiq Cup last February but showed improved form when third behind Thundersquall and Wait To Excel in an open contest last month.
A large field of 15 has been declared for the SR130,000 Rashed bin A. Al-Zenaidy Award for three-year-olds over 1,200 meters. Attention is likely to focus on last season’s Sarawat Cup winner Karimi and Kawafill, who bids for a hat-trick after recent victories in Taif and Riyadh.
Friday’s action is headlined by the SR150,000 Ministry of Education Cup for juveniles over 1,400 meters, attracting 19 runners. The Red Stable fields Ela Al-Amam and Nayaad, with Ferreira aboard Ela Al-Amam, who remains unbeaten after two starts. The White Stable counters with Ma’aha Allah, twice runner-up from two appearances, and Taif debut winner Nasrak Allah.
The Friday card also includes three competitive turf races, beginning with a 1,200-meter open featuring Red Stable runner Zefzaf against French import Cacofonix. Zefzaf enjoyed a breakout season last year, winning three times and finishing second in the Turf Sprint Qualifier, and now takes on Cacofonix, a former European Listed winner recently acquired by the White Stable.
Cacofonix, a three-time winner from nine starts, was last seen finishing sixth in Group 3 company in August and changed hands for €460,000 ($543,000) in October. Later on the card, Maylan — who defeated Zefzaf in the Turf Sprint Qualifier — heads a full field in the 1,351-meter open, before attention turns to the 2,100-meter contest featuring Bolide Porto. The White Stable runner finished third on his recent return and previously held his own in the upgraded Group 1 Howden Neom Turf Cup.
Racing at King Abdulaziz Racecourse continues to gather momentum as the domestic season builds toward its marquee events.
