ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023: Picture Of Empty Stands At Narendra Modi Stadium For ENG vs NZ Tournament Opener Goes Viral

ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023: The quadrennial event got underway at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday (October 5).

An aerial view of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad which is hosting the ICC Men's World Cup 2023 opener between England and New Zealand. ( Image Source :X/@collinsadam )

The ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 has gotten underway in what is a repeat of the last edition's finalists with England taking on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While there was a lot of excitement and anticipation ahead of the first match of the competition, it wasn't exactly a jam-packed stadium awaiting the teams, much to the disappointment of several lovers of the sport.

A picture showing the sparsely populated stands at the world's largest cricket facility which can accommodate over 130,000 fans has gone viral. Some fans online have blamed the organisers for last minute announcement of schedule and tickets for the same. However, it shouldn't be noted that more fans are expected in cooler conditions in the evening with the temperatures expected to hover in the mid 30s on the match afternoon in Gujarat. 

Take a look at the viral picture and some of the reactions on it here:

Sorting the schedule and selling the tickets five minutes before the comp has worked out well. #CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/ikluM3QX1F

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) October 5, 2023

Bhai weekday me dopahar do baje 1lakh log velle nahi hai. Second innings tak aayenge

— Harshvardhan Singh Thapa (@Humorosaurus) October 5, 2023

Perfectly put 😂

— Vinod Gopalakrishnan (@tveenod) October 5, 2023

There’s not much Australia v NZ at eden park ‘93 about this World Cup opener is there?

— Ed Jackson (@edjacko) October 5, 2023

How's the heat there btw?

— Parth Lanjewar (@parth_lanjewar) October 5, 2023

Thats why they cancelled the opening ceremony

— Moiz Khan (@PmMoiz) October 5, 2023

This pritty much sums up world cricket at the moment

— Ross Vincent (@rvincent1987) October 5, 2023

Talking about the match, New Zealand have won the toss and elected to field first. The Black Caps are without Kane Williamson and Tim Southee for this match. While England are playing without Ben Stokes in their team.