Gear up for ICC World Cup 2015 as countdown begins

New Delhi: Australia and New Zealand are all set to host the biggest cricketing carnival – ICC World Cup – for the second time in their collective history. The Trans-Tasman nations hosted cricket's flagship tournament in 1992.

The marquee event, which is starting from 14 February, will be played in 14 different venues across both Australia and New Zealand.

The opening match will be played between co-host New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Full schedule.

Apart from India, the winners of the last edition, cricket pundits are rating both the hosts nations and South Africa as strong favourites thanks to their current ODI form and the home advantage.

Though despite the poor form of Team India, title holders are expected to pick up the momentum as the tournament progresses.

The opening ceremony of the mega cricket event is on Thursday. Everything you want to know about opening ceremony.

Teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and West Indies also have match-winners in their respective sides, who are capable of turning the match around single-handedly. However, to lift the coveted title, they have to play exceptional cricket throughout the tournament. World Cup teams.

It's a big opportunity for minnows to give their best shot in the 11th edition of the tournament. Few major upsets in the tournament will make the event more interesting and unpredictable. Click here for the extensive World Cup coverage.

The much-anticipated match of the tournament, between India and Pakistan is on February 15, where the reigning world champions will try to keep their unbeaten run against their arch-rivals intact. For Pakistan, it is all about breaking that World Cup jinx. Read India-Pakistan rivalry.