No Opening Ceremony For World Cup 2023? Fans Find Solace in Kohli’s Grand Entry From 2019 WC – News18

The Cricket World Cup 2023 is on the brink of commencing, with the reigning champions, England, set to face off against New Zealand, the runners-up from the last edition, in the opening match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Even though there were some earlier reports hinting at a possible opening ceremony just before the tournament’s kickoff, it now appears that there won’t be one. This development has taken fans by surprise, as they were eagerly anticipating the grand spectacle. Nevertheless, Indian cricket fans have found solace in revisiting old videos, particularly one that showcased the unforgettable entry of former captain Virat Kohli during the 2019 World Cup’s opening ceremony.

Numerous clips from the glamorous opening ceremony, held at the mall opposite Buckingham Palace in London, have surfaced on the micro-blogging site ‘X’. This ceremony was hosted by former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff and cricket presenters Shibani Dandekar and Paddy McGuinness. Among the captains who made a grand entrance at the event, it was no secret that Virat Kohli received the most thunderous cheers. Kohli even expressed his delight at the overwhelming support the team receives at every stadium, emphasising that it’s not just a matter of pressure but also of immense pride, a pride that continues to make Indians stand tall.

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Consequently, fans are now finding it easier to let go of this year’s opening ceremony, as they are already captivated by the nostalgia of Kohli’s iconic moment. Social media platforms are abuzz with fans sharing these electrifying clips. One fan ecstatically proclaimed, “’Get Ready for Indian Captain Virat Kohli’ has another fanbase. Missing those days when Kohli was our captain.”

Another fondly reminisced, “Suddenly, I realized how good the opening ceremony of the 2019 WC was with Flintoff and Shibani. The entry of all captains on stage especially Kohli was iconic. There were real cricket fans present and former cricketers also played cricket on the streets.”

While an official opening ceremony is absent from the schedule, the BCCI did organise Captains’ Day on the eve of England vs. New Zealand opener.

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During this event, all ten captains faced questions from former India head coach Ravi Shastri and former England captain Eoin Morgan.