In a move that could impact the overall ODI World Cup schedule, the BCCI is considering rescheduling the most high-profile match of the tournament – India vs Pakistan in Ahmedabad – from October 15 to October 14.
The reason for the change, ESPNcricinfo has learned, is that October 15 is also the first day of the Hindu festival of Navratri, and the local police has told the BCCI that it would find it difficult to take care of security on the day.
It is understood that the BCCI has alerted the ICC about the issue, but no concrete decision has been taken yet. The BCCI, it is understood, is expected to have a meeting with all the state associations that are hosting World Cup matches on July 27 before a final call is taken.
The original World Cup schedule has October 14 down as a double-header day: England play Afghanistan in a day match in Delhi and New Zealand play Bangladesh in day-night game in Chennai. It cannot be a straight swap, mainly because New Zealand will face Afghanistan on October 18 in Chennai. Incidentally, there are no triple-headers scheduled, though there are two matches on six days.