'World Cup bolke world se hee bahar kar diya' - Fans react as World Cup 2023 trophy becomes first official sporting trophy to be sent to space

2019 World Cup final (Source: Twitter)

The Cricket Governing Body and the Indian Cricket Board got the Men's ODI World Cup 2023 off to a flying start by launching the trophy into the stratosphere. The coveted silverware of the much-anticipated mega event became the first official sporting trophy to be sent to space.

The World Cup trophy was attached to a bespoke stratospheric balloon and sent out of the world - 1,20,000 feet above the earth - before landing at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. The World Cup trophy will tour 18 countries, including India, before landing in Ahmedabad after a stratospheric balloon journey.

Speaking on the launch of the trophy Tour, Cricket Governing Body Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: "The Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour is an important milestone in the countdown to what will be the biggest Men’s Cricket World Cup ever. This Tour will see the iconic silverware meet heads of state, launch community initiatives, and support cricket development programmes, in addition to visiting some of the most iconic landmarks around the globe."

“Cricket has more than a billion fans, and we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to get up close to this famous trophy that has been held aloft by some of the greatest legends of our sport," he added.

Trophy tour will seek to inspire communities to share the excitement of WC: Jay Shah

The World Cup schedule will be announced in Mumbai as the tournament takes place in India from October 5 to November 19, with Ahmedabad likely to host the finals.

The Indian Cricket Board Secretary Jay Shah said the trophy tour is a fantastic chance for fans to be part of the event wherever they are. "Cricket unites India like no other sport, and excitement is building across the country as we prepare to host the 10 best teams in the world over six weeks of heart-stopping cricket. As we countdown to the World Cup, the Trophy Tour is a fantastic chance for fans to be part of the event wherever they are," he said.

"The Tour will travel extensively across India and seek to inspire communities to share the excitement of cricket’s greatest spectacle, while providing an opportunity to showcase iconic venues, cities and landmarks throughout the country," added Shah.

Here's how fans reacted: 

@CricCrazyJohns Wow, that's amazing! Now even aliens can witness us choking in crucial games.

— Shing ha (@ReplyGPT) June 26, 2023

So finally they send it to space
But don't worry kohli and Rohit will bring it from space 🚀

To handover it to Australia

— Aditya Rajput (@Aditya240606) June 26, 2023

World Cup bolke world se hee bahar kar diya 😭😭

— Pratham. (@76thHundredWhxn) June 26, 2023

Even Aliens got it before South Africa.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) June 26, 2023

The trophy to the moon got real

— Captain (@iEatCricket) June 26, 2023

Now it will be called 'out of the world' cup.

— Guru Prasath A (@guruprasath) June 26, 2023

Finally World Cup Trophy met AB De Villiers

— Sahil (@VK______18) June 26, 2023

we are still drying up the pitch with a sponge and clothes. pic.twitter.com/XJdagl4LlB

— The_Wall 🇮🇳🇸🇬 (@_TheWall__) June 26, 2023

Buy more sponges to dry up the pitches instead.

— Bilal Khan (@BilalKhan1_) June 26, 2023

Are we making it ICC universe cup?

— ALINJAR DAN (@AlinjarDan) June 26, 2023