Fans Celebrate Zubeen Shreya Ghosal's Tribute At World Cup

Guwahati – The 14th Women's World Cup opened on a dazzling note at the ACA Barsapara Stadium here on Tuesday, with the ceremony featuring a moving tribute to Assam's cultural icon Zubeen Garg.

During the mid-innings break of India-Sri Lanka game, renowned Bollywood singer Shreya Ghosal captivated the 25,000-odd spectators with a 13-minute performance dedicated to Zubeen, blending a medley of his hits with the World Cup theme song, 'Bring It Home.'

The stadium echoed with chants of“Joy Zubeen Da!” as fans waved banners in homage to the late singer, whose untimely death on September 19 in Singapore had plunged the state into mourning.

The emotional high point of the glittering ceremony came when Shreya concluded her performance with Zubeen's iconic song“Mayabini Ratir Bukut”.

The song, which the late singer had wished to be sung by his fans after his death, reverberated through the ACA Barsapara Stadium.

Fireworks also lit up the sky, adding a celebratory contrast to the somber tribute.

The Assam Cricket Association had redesigned the opening ceremony to honour Zubeen blending the festive spirit of Durga Puja with the state's grief.

“The match is being held on the cusp of two extremes - mourning for Zubeen Garg and the peak Durga Puja festival (Maha Ashtami),” BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia said.

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