The much-anticipated ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 kicks off on September 30 with a grand opening ceremony at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, setting the stage for a historic tournament jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2.
The curtain-raiser will feature dazzling performances by some of India’s most celebrated artists, including Shreya Ghoshal and Angarag Papon Mahanta (Papon), alongside the Shillong Choir Chamber. The celebration will not only mark the return of the tournament to Indian soil after 12 long years but will also pay tribute to legendary Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, who recently passed away in Singapore.
This marks the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, with eight teams competing across 34 days in a round-robin format, followed by semifinals and a much-awaited final. While India has been runners-up on two occasions (2005 and 2017), the coveted trophy still eludes them.
For skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, this edition carries special weight. She will be leading India for the very first time in an ODI World Cup, though it will be her fifth appearance in the competition overall. India’s campaign begins immediately after the opening ceremony, as they lock horns with Sri Lanka, led by the irrepressible Chamari Athapaththu, in the tournament’s first clash, set to begin at 3 PM IST in Guwahati.
The World Cup returns to India for the fourth time, after previously being hosted in 1978, 1997, and 2013, while this is the first time Sri Lanka is co-hosting the event, giving the tournament broader South Asian roots. Fans across the region are gearing up for high-octane cricket coupled with cultural spectacles that reflect the rich heritage of the subcontinent.
ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Opening Ceremony Details:
Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: Before the Toss in the opening game between India vs Sri Lanka
Streaming and Broadcasting Details:
Fans who are eager to catch the opening ceremony live can watch out for the Star Sports Network 30 minutes to 1 hour before the toss. For online viewers, Jiostar could be the platform to keep an eye on. More details to be confirmed.
The ceremony promises music, lights, and performances infused with strong regional flair. Renowned playback singer Shreya Ghoshal will headline the evening, delivering a heartfelt tribute to Assamese icon Zubeen Garg.
She will be joined by Papon, whose soulful voice and charismatic stage presence are expected to electrify the Guwahati crowd. In addition, the Shillong Choir Chamber will showcase their musical brilliance, adding both depth and regional identity to the celebrations.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that special tributes to Zubeen Garg will be central to the performance, with Ghoshal, Papon, Joi Barua, and the Shillong Chamber artists celebrating his legacy through music.
“Some of the famous singers from our region, like Papon, Shreya Ghoshal, and Shillong Choir Chamber, will perform before the match and pay their tributes to Zubeen,” Saikia said in his statement.
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