The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will begin with a musical tribute to Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg. The opening ceremony will take place at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, co-host city of the tournament. Garg, who tragically passed away in Singapore on September 19, will be honoured with a 40-minute performance featuring prominent artistes. The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) confirmed that Angarag Papon Mahanta, Joi Barua, and the Shillong Chamber Choir will headline the ceremony. In addition, 5,000 free tickets have been allocated for Garg’s fans for the opening match between India and Sri Lanka. The Guwahati Sports Association (GSA) will handle distribution, beginning Monday morning from its office at Nehru Stadium. An ACA representative said, “To celebrate unity through sport and culture, and to encourage public participation in global sporting events, the GSA will distribute 5,000 free tickets to Zubeen Garg fans for the inaugural match.” Read also: BCCI Requires U-19 and U-16 Players to Play One FC Game for IPL Eligibility Public Mourning and BCCI’s Tribute Garg, aged 52, was not only a celebrated musician but also an active supporter of sports, frequently participating in charity football and cricket games. His untimely death has triggered statewide mourning, with thousands gathering to pay respects as his mortal remains were brought to Guwahati for public homage. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the media on September 21, confirming plans for the tribute. Saikia stated, “And as you all know, recently the youth icon, the musical icon of Assam or the cultural icon of Assam, Zubeen Garg has passed away. Today his mortal remains have arrived in Guwahati and it will be kept for one or two days for public homage and there’s a huge grief and tragic situation prevailing in Assam." He added, “So keeping in consonance with that situation and as a person who deserves some respect, Assam Cricket Association, maybe with BCCI, will have a tribute program at the time of opening (ceremony). So we are trying to have a Zubeen Garg tribute."