ICC 2027 ODI World Cup Can Begin On Gandhi Jayanti In Tribute To The Mahatma

News cricket ICC 2027 ODI World Cup Can Begin On Gandhi Jayanti In Tribute To The Mahatma

ICC 2027 ODI World Cup Can Begin On Gandhi Jayanti In Tribute To The Mahatma

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Last Updated: August 15, 2026, 23:26 IST

ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2027 to begin on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, honoring Mahatma Gandhi's legacy in India and South Africa.

ICC will commemorate the Gandhi Jayanti.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s ODI World Cup 2027 can reportedly begin on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, to commemorate the life of Mahatma Gandhi. He played a significant role in the history of one of the hosts, South Africa, and the powerhouse of the sport, India.

According to Cricbuzz, the ICC initially planned to kick off the tournament on October 8, but has now changed plans to coincide with Gandhi’s 158th birth anniversary. Pre-tournament warm-up matches will, then, have to begin in late September.

The marquee competition, with 14 participating nations, will be hosted across 12 venues in three African countries, with Zimbabwe and Namibia as co-hosts.

Notably, the World Cup format has undergone a few controversial changes, with the three bottom-ranked teams to play a mini trilateral series of sorts to decide the final-12, called the ‘Super Series’ round. The report didn’t mention whether October 2 will mark the start of this tri-series or the ‘Super Series’. If it’s the former, neither India nor South Africa will be participating in it.

The final is likely to be played on November 21.

Gandhi’s role in India and South Africa’s history

Gandhi is considered the Father of the Nation in India for his role in the freedom struggle. He championed the principle of satyagraha (nonviolent resistance) to fight against the British colonisers’ draconian policies.

A leader for the most oppressed sections of society, his impact went beyond the nationwide movements of non-cooperation and civil disobedience, for he also risked his life multiple times to keep the fractured communities united in the time of extreme struggle.

Even today, Gandhi Jayanti features prayer services at his memorial at Raj Ghat in New Delhi, alongside nationwide patriotic programs and community cleaning drives.

A lot of who Gandhi was, he became during his two decades in Apartheid-marred South Africa, which he described as ‘the best part of my life’. He arrived in the country as a young barrister but was transformed by the blatant racism he faced at almost every walk of life.

It was here that he became an activist for the Indian diaspora and polished his idea of satyagraha, with his ways eventually inspiring some members of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa’s own freedom struggle.

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First Published: August 15, 2026, 21:58 IST

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