Guwahati: The 14th Women’s World Cup kicked off in spectacular fashion at ACA Barsapara Stadium, featuring a heartfelt tribute to Assam’s beloved cultural icon, Zubeen Garg.
During the mid-innings break of the India-Sri Lanka clash, renowned Bollywood singer Shreya Ghosal enthralled around 25,000 spectators with a 13-minute performance dedicated to Zubeen. Her set wove together a medley of his hit songs and the World Cup anthem, Bring It Home. Fans erupted in chants of “Joy Zubeen Da!” while waving banners in honor of the late singer, who passed away on September 19 in Singapore, leaving Assam in mourning.
The emotional peak of the ceremony came as Shreya closed with Zubeen’s iconic “Mayabini Ratir Bukut”, a song he had wished to be sung by his fans after his passing. The stadium resonated with the melody, accompanied by fireworks that illuminated the night sky—offering a striking contrast between celebration and tribute.
The Assam Cricket Association tailored the opening ceremony to both honor Zubeen and capture the festive spirit of Durga Puja.
“The match comes at a moment of dual significance—mourning Zubeen Garg and celebrating Maha Ashtami during Durga Puja,” said BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia. “We wanted the opening to pay homage to this son of the soil.”
Five thousand tickets were reserved exclusively for the Zubeen Garg Fan Club, while an additional 10,000 complimentary passes ensured his fans could witness the historic occasion.
Ahead of the match, the BCCI also felicitated former stalwarts of Indian women’s cricket, celebrating the legacy and growth of the sport.
“Zubeen Da will always remain with us. He is Assam’s No.1 icon. We may not have seen Bhupen Hazarika, but Zubeen was one of us, relatable and close to our hearts,” said a 23-year-old hotel management student.
Fans sported jerseys of Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj, while tributes to Indian cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were also visible throughout the stands.
Twelve former captains were honoured: Shantha Rangaswamy, Diana Edulji, Shubhangi Kulkarni, Purnima Rau, Nilima Joglekar, Anjum Chopra, Sandhya Agarwal, Pramila Bhatt, Chandrakanta Kaul, Mamtha Maben, Mithali Raj, and Anju Jain. Former Test and ODI cricketer Sudha Shah, along with Neetu David (former Chairperson, Women’s Selection Committee & ICC Hall of Fame inductee), Renu Margrate, and Shyama Dey of the Women’s Selection Committee, were also felicitated for their contributions.
