The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 kicked off in historic attendance for the first day's India vs Sri Lanka match in Guwahati. Nearly 23,000 spectators packed ACA Stadium to view a smorgasbord of brilliant cricketing action, captivating live performances and an electrifying musical tribute to a local legend. The 22,843 crowd for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 opening match is an all-time record for a group stage game at any ICC Women's tournament, surpassing the prior record of 15,935 for the India vs. Pakistan match at the Dubai International Stadium during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. The day started with a soul-stirring musical tribute to Assam's much-loved icon, late Zubeen Garg. Renowned singers Papon, Joi Barua, and the illustrious Shillong Chamber Choir performed rousing numbers of his best-known works, paying their respects to his legacy in front of a tearful home audience. When the players stepped out onto the field, the feeling was carried over with a rousing performance of the national anthems, Shreya Ghoshal providing her voice for India's national anthem and Nuwandhika Kumari singing the Sri Lankan national anthem. Also Read | Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Row: India vs Mohsin Naqvi Drama At halftime, Shreya Ghoshal was back on stage performing the official tournament song, accompanied by a lively medley of her chart-topping hits. The gala opening sets the tone for a tournament that not only promises to deliver fantastic cricket but marks a watershed moment for women's sport in the nation. The BCCI also used the occasion to felicitate 16 retired Indian women cricketers, including ICC Hall of Famers Neetu David and Diana Eduljee, and past captains Shanta Rangaswamy, Pramila Bhatt, Purnima Rau, Anjum Chopra and Mithali Raj. Crowds poured in despite intermittent rains, sending hopes of increased attendance in future matches of the 31-match tournament played across India and Sri Lanka in cities Guwahati, Indore, Vishakhapatnam and Mumbai and Colombo. The competition has been highlighted by most as a game-changer for women's cricket in India, with cricket great Sachin Tendulkar highlighting the significance of the tournament.