The opening ceremony of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 will carry a special emotional weight this year. The tournament begins on September 30 in Guwahati, Assam, the same city and state that have been mourning the sudden loss of their legendary singer Zubeen Garg.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), together with the Assam Cricket Association (ACA), has decided that the very first moments of the World Cup will be dedicated to celebrating and remembering Zubeen Garg’s extraordinary life and legacy. A 40-minute musical segment has been set aside in his honour — a rare gesture that highlights how deeply he touched the hearts of millions.
Opening Ceremony: Music, Memories, and Women’s Cricket
The Guwahati crowd will witness a grand cultural programme before the match between India and Sri Lanka, the tournament’s opening fixture. The star attraction of the ceremony will be Shreya Ghoshal, one of India’s most celebrated playback singers. She is scheduled to perform the official World Cup theme song, Bring It Home, which has already gone viral among cricket fans online.
Organisers have revealed that the tribute to Zubeen Garg will not be a single performance but a composite homage featuring multiple musicians. While Shreya Ghoshal will lead, other artists may also join the stage to perform Garg’s most loved songs in Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, and other languages in which he lent his voice.
Players from all seven participating nations are expected to be present during the event, marking a symbolic unification of sport and culture. Reports suggest that only the Pakistani players may not attend the ceremony, as their fixtures are scheduled separately in Sri Lanka.
Zubeen Garg’s Legacy: Assam’s “King of Music”
Zubeen Garg was far more than just a singer; for Assam and the northeast, he was an identity, a heartbeat, and a unifying cultural force. Known affectionately as the “King of Assam,” he recorded more than 38,000 songs across 40 languages, a staggering number that places him among the most prolific singers in South Asia.
He became a household name in Bollywood after the success of the 2006 song “Ya Ali” from the film Gangster, which shot him to national fame. But even before and after that, he continued to enrich regional music industries. His Assamese hits include Buku Duhu Duhu, O Bhonenu, and Maya, while in Bengali, songs like Piya Re, Bandhu Re, Paran Jaye Joliya Re, and Aina Mon Bhanga Aina cemented his reputation as a versatile and deeply emotional artist.
Unlike many singers, Garg never confined himself to one language or one audience. He travelled seamlessly between Bollywood glamour and Assamese folk traditions, between Bengali modern songs and independent fusion projects. This versatility is one of the reasons why his death has left such a profound emptiness in multiple cultural circles.
His Sudden Death: Shockwaves Across India
Zubeen Garg tragically passed away on September 19, 2025, while in Singapore. Official records cite drowning as the cause of death, though reports indicate he experienced breathing difficulties while swimming without a life vest. He was only 52 years old.
The news of his death spread like wildfire, leaving not just Assam but the entire country in mourning. Vigils, mass gatherings, and spontaneous tributes erupted across towns and villages. For Assam in particular, it felt like losing a family member. People described it as though the voice of the state itself had been silenced.
A City in Tears: Final Journey Home
When Zubeen Garg’s coffin was flown back to Guwahati, the scenes at the airport and on the streets were unforgettable. His wife, Garima, was seen waiting with visible grief, unable to contain her tears as she placed a towel on her husband’s chest in a final gesture of farewell. The atmosphere was heavy with sorrow as thousands of fans rushed to catch one last glimpse of their idol.
As his body was taken home, crowds filled every street, creating a sea of people that police struggled to control. Yet even the police officers tasked with maintaining order could not hold back their emotions. One viral video showed an officer walking beside the car carrying Garg’s body, wiping his tears while continuing to protect the vehicle. That rare image of duty and grief captured the mood of the entire state.
State Honours and Cremation
The Assam government has announced that Zubeen Garg will be given full state honours at his cremation. His body will lie in state at the Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex in Guwahati so that the public can pay their respects. The final rites are scheduled to take place at Kamarkuchi NC village near Guwahati on September 23, 2025.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma personally assured that the state will honour Garg as not just a musician but a cultural icon who gave Assam international recognition.
Why the BCCI Tribute Matters
Cricket and music are two of India’s greatest cultural forces. For the BCCI to dedicate nearly an hour of the Women’s World Cup opening ceremony to Zubeen Garg shows how his influence went beyond Assam and northeast India. It is also a recognition that women’s cricket — which is seeing unprecedented growth — should open on a note that unites fans emotionally before competition begins.
For the people of Assam, having Garg remembered on such a global stage is both a moment of pride and deep pain. His absence will be felt, but his music will echo across the stadium when Shreya Ghoshal and others perform his songs to kick off the world’s biggest women’s cricket tournament.
A Voice That Will Live On
Zubeen Garg may be gone, but his voice continues to live through the countless songs he recorded. From Bollywood blockbusters to Assamese folk ballads, from Bengali romantic songs to devotional tracks, he left behind a treasure trove of music that will keep inspiring future generations.
As the Women’s World Cup begins in Guwahati, the first sound that fans will hear will not be the crack of the bat or the roar of the crowd — it will be the melodies of a singer who gave Assam its soul. And that is perhaps the most fitting tribute of all.
