The ICC Champions Trophy is finally set to kick-off. The tournament, originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan last year, was forced out of the country because of security concerns and will now be staged in South Africa, from September 22 to October 5.
The top eight teams will play three matches in the group stages following which the top teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
Fourth seeds India are pitted in a tough group comprising 50-over World champions Australia, Twenty20 World champions Pakistan and West Indies.
Favourites India start their campaign with a high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Centurion, on September 26.
Check out the complete fixtures:
ICC Champions Trophy 2009 | |||
Group A: Australia (1), India (4), Pakistan (5), West Indies (8) | |||
Date |
Match |
Venue |
Time |
Sep 22 |
Group B - South Africa vs Sri Lanka (D/N) |
Centurion |
1800 IST |
Sep 23 |
Group A - Pakistan v West Indies (D/N) |
Johannesburg |
1800 IST |
Sep 24 |
Group B - South Africa v New Zealand |
Centurion |
1300 IST |
Sep 25 |
Group B - England v Sri Lanka (D/N) |
Johannesburg |
1800 IST |
Sep 26 |
Group A - Australia v West Indies |
Johannesburg |
1300 IST |
Sep 26 |
Group A - India v Pakistan (D/N) |
Centurion |
1800 IST |
Sep 27 |
Group B - New Zealand v Sri Lanka |
Johannesburg |
1300 IST |
Sep 27 |
Group B - South Africa v England (D/N) |
Centurion |
1800 IST |
Sep 28 |
Group A - Australia v India (D/N) |
Centurion |
1800 IST |
Sep 29 |
Group B - England v New Zealand (D/N) |
Johannesburg |
1800 IST |
Sep 30 |
Group A - Australia v Pakistan |
Centurion |
1300 IST |
Sep 30 |
Group A - India v West Indies (D/N) |
Johannesburg |
1800 IST |
Oct 2 |
1st Semi-Final (D/N) - (A1 v B2) |
Centurion |
1800 IST |
Oct 3 |
2nd Semi-Final (D/N) - (B1 v A2) |
Johannesburg |
1800 IST |
Oct 5 |
Final (D/N) |
Centurion |
1800 IST |
Photograph: Reuters