As Guwahati gears up for four matches of the ICC Women's World Cup, starting with India vs Sri Lanka on September 30, the state of Assam Cricket Association (ACA) and the BCCI are going to pay tribute to late Zubeen Garg. The Assam singer and cultural icon passed away at the age of 52 in Singapore due to a scuba diving accident on Friday. 

Thousands of fans paid tribute to their icon at Gopinath Bordoloi Airport on Sunday, which the BCCI also recognizes by holding a tribute during the opening ceremony of the Women's World Cup. For the women’s world cup, we recognize the grief and tragedy prevailing in Assam after Zubeen's passing. In keeping with the situation, and as he deserves all due respect, the Assam Cricket Association and the BCCI we will have an attributable program as part of the opening ceremony. That, with respect and tribute we acknowledge Zubeen Garg. said BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, a close friend of Garg.

A 40-minute tribute to Zubeen Garg is planned as it is expected to be the opener of the Women’s World Cup in Guwahati

The tribute will be presented as a 40-minute program that Saikia has referred to as, "undoubtedly the largest tribute the cricketing fraternity can provide him." Also, the well-known singer Shreya Ghoshal will kick off the proceedings with a performance in the mid-innings, combining music and cricket to showcase Garg's legacy.

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Garg was at the 2025 North East India Festival in Singapore, during which the catastrophes took place. Once he had passed, the remaining performances for the festival were cut short, and the cricketing community quickly arranged to honor his contributions both to music and his culture in Assam.

Saikia further spoke to the hope he has for the Indian women's team as the World Cup stands to be one for the ages, noting India and their recent series with Australia where they lost the ODI series 2-1, and they want desperately to end their ICC title drought. "Indian women's cricket has really come of age! They just did well in England, so this is a good time for them for such a big opportunity in women's history," he said.

As such, opening the Women’s World Cup in Guwahati will be a bittersweet combination of both sport and memorial celebration of India's cricket hopes and one of Assam's favourite cultural figures.

The Assam Cricket Association (ACA), in a very kind and empathetic manner, will remember the unforgettable music icon Zubeen Garg at the opening ceremony of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 in Guwahati. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that a specially made 40-minute program would revolve around the life and works of the lovingly called Assamese and Bollywood singer of the world.

Zubeen Garg's sudden demise has left the entire state of Assam and the nation in mourning. The state was so emotionally charged that it came to a halt as fans turned up in large numbers to pay their respects to the "Heartthrob of Assam," showing how much people's lives were tethered to the singer. 

Across India and beyond, tributes to Garg have come in from artists, admirers, and officials expressing their feelings about Garg's contributions to music. Indian cricket star Riyan Parag expressed his grief over the loss in a touching post on Instagram as he described how Garg impacted the lives and thoughts of all types of people.

Celebrating a Cultural Icon

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the first day program at Barsapara Stadium on September 30, before the India vs Sri Lanka match, is going to be a special one with the attendance of a tribute concert to Zubeen Garg’s memory. Zubeen not only had a wonderful singing career but also was a cultural phenomenon and was heavily popular among the youth because of his trendsetting music, be it Assamese folk or Bollywood popular songs. 

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The function will definitely add to the charm with a great voice appearance of playback singer Shreya Ghoshal, one of the main stars of the music event. With the dedication to Garg's memory, the opening ceremony is expected to be a wonderful and emotional inaugural experience of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.