The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering starting the 2027 ODI World Cup on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, according to a report by Cricbuzz. Notably, the proposed date would honour Mahatma Gandhi, who spent 21 years in South Africa and developed many of his ideas on peace and non-violence there.
The 2027 ODI World Cup will return to southern Africa for the first time since 2003, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia serving as co-hosts. The 14-team tournament is expected to run for around 50 days, with the final scheduled for November 21. The ICC has also announced 12 venues across the three countries.
ICC Considers Starting ODI World Cup 2027 on October 2
The ICC had initially planned to start the tournament on October 8 after holding the warm-up matches between October 1 and 7. However, the governing body is now considering bringing the main tournament forward to October 2 so that the opening day falls on Gandhi Jayanti.
"The International Cricket Council (ICC) is working towards starting the tournament on that day to commemorate the life of a leader who championed peace and non-violence," a report by Cricbuzz mentions.
The revised plan would move the warm-up matches to an earlier window, while the November 21 final is expected to remain unchanged. Gandhi spent 21 years in the country after arriving there as a young barrister.
ODI World Cup 2027 Gets New Format With 12 Venues
The 2027 ODI World Cup will feature 14 teams, an increase from the 10-team editions held in 2019 and 2023. Ten teams, including co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, have already secured qualification, while the remaining places will be decided through a qualifier early in 2027.
The three lowest-ranked teams will first compete in a mini-league called the 'Super Series'. The winner will join the other 11 qualified teams in the main tournament. The 12-team main round will then be divided into two groups of six. Teams will compete within their groups before moving into the Super Seven stage.
The competition will then progress to the semi-finals and final, a different structure from the previous two ODI World Cup editions. The ICC has already confirmed 12 venues across the three host countries.
South Africa will stage matches at Wanderers Stadium, Centurion, Newlands, Kingsmead, St George’s Park, Mangaung Oval, Boland Park and Buffalo Park.
Zimbabwe will host games at Harare Sports Club, Queens Sports Club and the Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium near Victoria Falls. Namibia's capital, Windhoek, will host matches at the Namibia Cricket Ground.
Why Gandhi's South Africa Connection Matters for 2027 World Cup
Mahatma Gandhi is known in India for leading the country's freedom movement and promoting satyagraha, which focused on non-violent resistance. He also spent a significant part of his life in South Africa.
Gandhi arrived in South Africa as a young barrister and faced racial discrimination during his stay. Those experiences pushed him towards activism and helped him develop methods of peaceful protest and civil resistance.
Some members of the African National Congress were inspired by his principles during South Africa's own struggle against racial injustice. Gandhi Jayanti is observed across India every year on October 2, with prayer services held at Raj Ghat in New Delhi along with various public and community programmes.
