Starting today, 16 teams begin their quest for cricket’s greatest extravaganza, the 9th ICC Cricket World Cup, being hosted by the West Indies. The teams are in 4 Groups:

  • Group A – Australia, South Africa, Scotland & Netherlands
  • Group B – India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & Bermudas
  • Group C – New Zealand, England, Kenya & Canada
  • Group D – West Indies, Pakistan, Zimbabwe & Ireland

An estimated 1.5 billion people will watch the tournament being played for prize money of $2.2 million for the winners. The tournament has 51 matches spread over 47 days from March 13 to April 28. Keep April 28 blocked for the final, irrespective of who features. Let’s hope, of course, that India will feature once again in the finals as they did in the last edition of the World Cup in 2003.

For the record, the West Indies won in 1975 & 1979 but India pulled off a major upset by beating the West Indies in 1983. While Australia won in 1987 in the India sub-continent, Pakistan returned the compliment by winning in 1992 in Australia/New Zealand. Back in the sub-continent, Sri Lanka won in 1996 and Australia won in England in 1999 and again in South Africa in 2003.

A lot of excitement ahead. Best wishes to the Indian team.