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The Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will be held across five venues: Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam and Navi Mumbai in India and Colombo in Sri Lanka, running from September 30 till November 2. Navi Mumbai was chosen as a venue specifically for logistical reasons, while Colombo will host all Pakistan games, the first semi-final, and the final if Pakistan qualifies.
A solemn tribute to Zubeen Garg: ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 ceremony details
The planned opening ceremony for the Women’s ODI World Cup was drastically scaled back and repurposed as a heartfelt tribute to the late Assamese cultural icon, Zubeen Garg, who passed away on September 19, 2025. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on September 30 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, preceding the tournament’s inaugural match between India and Sri Lanka.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision, stating that the original ‘grand plans’ for the ceremony had to be ‘cut the frills’ due to the immense public grief across Assam The revised event was transformed into a ‘solemn 40-minute programme dedicated to the legendary Zubeen Garg,’ acknowledging his significance as a youth and cultural icon of the region.
Highlighting the musical tribute, it was confirmed that renowned playback singer Shreya Ghoshal is scheduled to sing as a tribute to Garg during the break of the inaugural match. The musical tribute was set to feature other famous singers from the region, including Papon (Angarag Papon Mahanta), Joi Barua, and the Shillong Choir Chamber.
Special Highlights
The Opening Ceremony on 30th September 2025 will feature live performances by renowned Indian artists Shreya Ghoshal, Angaraag Papon Mahanta, Joi Barua, and the Shillong Chamber Choir.
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— Assam Cricket Association (@assamcric) September 26, 2025
Shreya Ghoshal will performing the “Mayabini” song during the mid innings of the Opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at Barsapara, paying tribute to Zubeen Garg!🕊️❤️ pic.twitter.com/u0i1ZMFgNe
— iThunder (@HiPrsm) September 28, 2025
As a gesture to the singer’s fans, the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) purchased 5,000 tickets for distribution on a first-come-first-serve basis. These complimentary tickets for Garg’s fans were to be made available for collection at the Guwahati Sports Association office in the Nehru Stadium complex on September 29. The decision by the BCCI and ACA to tone down the celebrations was made after September 19, the day Garg tragically died in Singapore under mysterious circumstances.
🎟️ As a heartfelt gesture, 5,000 tickets have been reserved exclusively for members of the Zubeen Garg Fan Club which will be available in the GSA Office at Nehru Stadium, Guwahati.
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— Assam Cricket Association (@assamcric) September 26, 2025
Honouring Indian women cricket legends in the opening ceremony of Women’s ODI World Cup 2025
The inaugural match serves a dual purpose: honoring the history of Indian women’s cricket and driving the BCCI’s strategic objective to expand the game into non-traditional Tier 1 cities. To celebrate the legacy of women’s cricket in India, the BCCI invited all the captains of the Indian women’s cricket teams since 1975 to attend the inaugural match.
The confirmed former Team India skippers who were expected to participate and be felicitated include Shubhangi Kulkarni, Nilima Joglekar, Sandhya Agarwal, Mamatha Maben, Shantha Rangaswamy, Purnima Rau, Chandrakanta Kaul, Anju Jain, Pramila Bhatt, Anjum Chopra and Mithali Raj. The BCCI planned to “felicitate them for representing the country and encouraging girls to take up cricket professionally,” recognizing their pioneering efforts.
The tournament will also be graced by former captains of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team since 1975, celebrating the legacy and growth of women’s cricket in India.
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— Assam Cricket Association (@assamcric) September 26, 2025
According to The Hindu, additionally, Neetu David, the second Indian woman cricketer to be inducted into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame after Diana Edulji, is also scheduled to be felicitated during the inaugural match. The choice of Guwahati as a co-host venue is part of a deliberate BCCI strategy to move marquee matches to “non-tier 1 cities” to popularize the game.
BCCI Secretary Saikia, as per The Hindu, emphasized the motive: “Popularising the game in smaller urban centres and remote areas is the motive behind the BCCI’s decision to gradually move marquee matches to non-tier 1 cities.” The World Cup, being the biggest international cricket tournament held in Guwahati, is expected to “generate interest in cricket among girls across the northeast”
The Opening Match in Guwahati will be graced by ICC Chairman Shri Jay Shah, BCCI Honorary Secretary Shri Devajit Saikia, along with other BCCI officials, further adding to the grandeur of this historic occasion.
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— Assam Cricket Association (@assamcric) September 26, 2025
Also READ: Youngsters to watch in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
