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New Delhi: The opening match of the 2025 Women's World Cup opener between host nations India and Sri Lanka on Tuesday, September 30, has set a new crowd attendance record.
The 13th edition of the marquee women's global tournament kicked off amidst massive fanfare at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, where a massive turnout of close to 23,000 fans watched the home team begin their campaign with a comprehensive win.
The huge turnout turned out to be the highest ever for a group stage fixture of any ICC women's event, the world body confirmed on Wednesday.
A total of 22,843 fans flocked to the stadium on Tuesday, beating the previous best of 15,935 at the India vs Pakistan match at the Dubai International Stadium in the Women's T20 World Cup last year.
"The attendance of 22,843 spectators for the opening match of the ICC WCWC 2025 is the highest ever for a group stage fixture at any ICC women's event," ICC said in a press release.
India clinched the rain-affected match by 59 runs to make a winning start to the tournament. The Women in Blue are aiming to win their maiden world title.
Ahead of the match, the organisers paid a musical tribute to Assam's singing icon, the late Zubeen Garg.
Acclaimed musicians Papon, Joi Barua, and Shillong Chamber Choir delivered renditions of his most celebrated works, honouring Zubeen's legacy in an emotional opening ceremony.
Renowned singer Shreya Ghoshal sang India's national anthem while Nuwandhika Kumari performed the Sri Lankan national anthem.
As many as 16 former Indian women cricketers, including ICC Hall of Famers Diana Eduljee and Neetu David, and former captains Shanta Rangaswamy, Pramila Bhatt, Purnima Rau, Anjum Chopra and Mithali Raj, were honoured by the BCCI for their contribution to Indian cricket.
The 31-game tournament will be played across five venues, including Guwahati, Indore, Vishakhapatnam and Mumbai in India and Colombo in Sri Lanka. India's next match will be against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, October 5.
