Guwahati, September 30, 2025: In a moving tribute that blended music, emotion, and celebration, Bollywood playback singer Shreya Ghoshal mesmerized the audience during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 mid-innings break, honoring the late Assamese icon Zubeen Garg. The performance took place at ACA Stadium, Barsapara, amid a crowd of around 25,000 spectators.
Tribute to Assam’s Cultural Icon
The 14th Women’s World Cup kicked off in Guwahati on a spectacular note, but the highlight of the opening ceremony was an emotional homage to Zubeen Garg, whose untimely demise on September 19, 2025, in Singapore left Assam in mourning. Shreya Ghoshal delivered a 13-minute performance, blending a medley of Zubeen’s greatest hits with the World Cup theme song, Bring It Home.
The stadium resonated with chants of “Joy Zubeen Da”, as fans waved banners celebrating the late singer’s legacy. Shreya concluded her performance with ‘Mayabini Ratir Bukut’, a song that Zubeen had wished to be sung by his fans after his passing, creating an unforgettable, emotional moment for all present.
A Ceremony of Celebration and Remembrance
Fireworks lit up the sky, adding a festive contrast to the somber tribute. The Assam Cricket Association had carefully redesigned the opening ceremony to combine the celebratory spirit of Durga Puja with the state’s collective grief.
“The match is being held on the cusp of two extremes — mourning for Zubeen Garg and the peak Durga Puja festival (Maha Ashtami). We wanted the opening ceremony to pay homage to the son of the soil,” said BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia.
Special arrangements ensured fans could participate in the historic moment: 5,000 tickets were reserved for members of the Zubeen Garg Fan Club, while another 10,000 complimentary passes were distributed across Assam.
Honoring Women’s Cricket Legends
Before the match between India and Sri Lanka, the BCCI felicitated former stalwarts of Indian women’s cricket, celebrating their contributions and the legacy of the game. Twelve former captains, including 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, were honored.
Additionally, former Test and ODI cricketer Sudha Shah, along with Neetu David, Renu Margrate, and Shyama Dey, received accolades for their contribution to women’s cricket administration and development.
Fans and Celebrations
Fans adorned jerseys of Harmanpreet Kaur, Mithali Raj, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, creating a vibrant atmosphere that celebrated both cricket and culture. One young fan commented,
“Zubeen da will always remain with us. He is Assam’s No. 1 icon. Though we may not have seen Bhupen Hazarika, Zubeen was one of us — relatable and close to our hearts.”
Shreya Ghoshal’s tribute at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 was more than a musical performance. It was a heartfelt celebration of Zubeen Garg’s life and legacy, seamlessly combining Assam’s cultural pride, the festive spirit of Durga Puja, and the passion of cricket fans. The ceremony will be remembered as a touching and historic moment in the state’s cultural and sporting history.