As Guwahati glows with Durga Puja lights, another festival takes centre stage — the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. From a soulful tribute to Zubeen Garg to an all-women panel of umpires and commentators, this is a tournament of firsts. With India carrying home hopes, Australia’s legacy looming, and the world watching, the stage is set for cricket’s golden hour.
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Guwahati: As Guwahati readies itself in dazzling colours for the Durga Puja festivities, the city finds itself crowned with yet another celebration today — a festival of cricket on a grand stage. Durga, the eternal Mother Goddess revered in Hinduism as the embodiment of power, protection, righteousness, and victory, is more than just a deity; she is the spirit of strength and courage itself. And in this season of worship, as chants rise for the goddess, the soil of Guwahati becomes an arena where Durgas of another kind — cricketers from across the world — will meet in a contest, transforming devotion into drama and prayer into play.
When the anthem resonates through Guwahati on September 30 and the white ball soars under the floodlights, it will signal more than just the start of another cricket tournament. It will mark the beginning of a World Cup poised to redefine women’s cricket. The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, hosted across India and Sri Lanka, promises high drama, larger audiences, and a significant place in history.
This edition already feels distinct. For the first time in World Cup history, every umpire and match referee will be a woman. The commentary box will also feature prominent voices such as Isa Guha, Mithali Raj, Sana Mir, Mel Jones, and Anjum Chopra — all of whom understand the sport deeply. The symbolic weight is immense. This tournament is not merely cricket; it represents progress at every level of the game.
At 3 PM, the global women’s cricket community will focus on Guwahati. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup kicks off on Indian soil, and the atmosphere at the ACA Barsapara Stadium is already charged with anticipation. The ground, which hosted India and Sri Lanka fine-tuning their skills just yesterday, will witness the dawn of a new chapter for the women’s game today.
The teams practised under a shifting sky, with a damp outfield and heavy air, yet their energy remained unbroken. Batters displayed precision, bowlers honed their lengths, and fielders launched themselves onto the turf. It was practice, yes, but it also felt like theatre in waiting.
During their pre-match press conferences, the captains struck contrasting yet complementary notes. Harmanpreet Kaur, calm and confident, expressed that India has learned to play without the burden of expectation. “We don’t even think about pressure anymore,” she said, highlighting the group’s maturity and readiness to embrace the moment. Chamari Atapattu, always candid, shared a broader hope: she would be thrilled if any Asian team lifted the trophy, reflecting a spirit of solidarity that resonated throughout the room.
The Opening Ceremony: A Tribute, Not a Spectacle
The tournament will not simply begin — it will open with a ceremony steeped in meaning. Instead of pyrotechnics and fanfare, the organisers have chosen a path of reflection, beginning with a tribute to the late Assamese icon Zubeen Garg.
Zubeen, who passed away earlier this month, was more than just a singer. He was the voice of Assam, a cultural bridge who sang in over 30 languages and gave India some of its most beloved songs, including the chart-topping Ya Ali from Gangster. A prolific artist, actor, composer, and philanthropist, he was known for blending folk, classical, and modern sounds — making him one of the Northeast’s most versatile and celebrated musicians. His death left a void not only in Assam but across India, where he was revered as both an artist and a people’s voice.
The inauguration will honour his memory before the cricket begins. At the Barsapara Stadium, the focus will be on voices rather than fireworks. Papon (Angarag Mahanta) will perform as a gesture of love and remembrance, while Joi Barua and the Shillong Chamber Choir will bring harmonies to Zubeen’s timeless songs. Shreya Ghoshal, one of India’s most celebrated playback singers, will present both the tournament anthem and a heartfelt musical tribute dedicated to Zubeen.
The original plan was to stage a high-energy spectacle with choreography and grand lighting, but those elements have been scaled back in light of the state’s grief. Instead, the ceremony will centre on music and memory, allowing the evening to mirror Assam’s emotions. Thousands of complimentary tickets have been distributed to Zubeen’s fans, ensuring his supporters can be part of this farewell.
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The ceremony will also honour former captains of the Indian women’s cricket team, connecting history with the present on the eve of a landmark World Cup. Together, music and memory will frame the tournament’s first day, blending culture, sport, and tribute into a moment bigger than the game itself.
Women in Charge: Officials & Voices
This World Cup will be remembered not only for the players on the field but also for the women who guide, judge, and narrate the game. For the first time in history, the entire panel of umpires and match referees is female — a landmark moment for cricket.
The match referees include Trudy Anderson, Shandré Fritz, G. S. Lakshmi, and Michelle Pereira, all respected figures who bring authority and calm to the big stage. On the field, the roster of umpires is just as impressive. India is proudly represented by Vrinda Rathi, Janani Narayanan, and Gayatri Venugopalan, alongside international names like Claire Polosak, Jacqueline Williams, Sue Redfern, Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Eloise Sheridan, Candace la Borde, Sarah Dambanevana, Shathira Jakir Jesy, Kerrin Klaaste, and Nimali Perera. Each of them has earned her way here through years of dedication, and together they signal how far the game has travelled.
The voices carrying the action to millions of homes will also be women who know the game inside out. Isa Guha, Mel Jones, Stacy-Ann King, and Julia Price will share their global perspective, while Indian fans will hear the familiar insights of Mithali Raj and Anjum Chopra, with Sana Mir adding her depth from Pakistan. They will not just describe the play; they will tell the stories with empathy and experience that only former cricketers can bring.
For Indian fans, this shift feels both symbolic and real. It shows that women are not only competing but also leading, officiating, and giving voice to the sport. From the middle of the pitch to the commentary box, this World Cup belongs to women in every sense.
Eight Players to Watch
Smriti Mandhana’s cover drives remain India’s most elegant signature, while Harmanpreet Kaur’s power game continues to make her the big-match player. Richa Ghosh has developed into a fearless finisher with clean hitting. For Australia, Beth Mooney is the reliable rock, while Ellyse Perry still epitomises evergreen all-round brilliance. England will look to Nat Sciver-Brunt’s match-winning batting and Sophie Ecclestone’s world-class spin, while South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp brings her mix of grit, fire, and game-changing all-round skill.
The Moment Before the First Ball
The anthems will rise in Guwahati, the ball will gleam under lights, and women’s cricket will stride into its golden hour. This is not just the start of a tournament, but the beginning of an era.
Every run will carry memory, every wicket will carve history, and every cheer will remind the world that the game belongs here — brilliant, fearless, and unshakably its own.
