Google paid tribute to the kickoff of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 through a featured Doodle. The 13th edition of this prestigious cricketing event is being hosted by India, a country with a rich cricketing history since the tournament's inception in 1975. Ten national teams are all set to compete for the coveted championship.
The animated Doodle shows two toon ducks running between the creases. We aren't sure why Google decided to go with ducks, which is generally used to represent batsmen who get dismissed without scoring a single run.
According to Google's official statement, "The group stage will witness a total of 45 matches, with each team facing every other once. Participating nations in this year's event include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka."
Moving forward, only four teams will advance to the knockout stage, consisting of two semi-final matchups and the final, to be held in Ahmedabad. The tournament is spread across various Indian cities, with matches scheduled in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Dharamsala, and Pune.
Here's what Google wrote in its official description:
Today’s Doodle celebrates the opening day of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. This year, it is India’s turn to host the quadrennial flagship tournament — the 13th edition since its start in 1975. Ten national squads are set to compete for the first place trophy.
45 matches will be played in the group stage, with each team set to face all the others once. This year, teams from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka will be participating. Only four teams will progress to the knockout stage, which consists of two semi-final matches and one cup final in Ahmedabad. The tournament will be played all across India, at stadiums in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Dharamsala and Pune.
The first match takes place today - between 2019’s returning champions, England and runners-up, New Zealand, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Good luck to all the teams!
The tourney will begin with a face-off between defending champions England and last edition's runner-up New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.