The opening ceremony of the Women’s World Cup will feature a special 40-minute tribute to Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg, who tragically passed away in Singapore on Friday after a scuba diving accident. He was 52. The celebrated singer was in Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival 2025. Festival organisers confirmed he died at Singapore General Hospital following the accident during a yacht trip.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that the cricket fraternity had decided to honor Garg during the World Cup curtain-raiser. “There is a huge grief and tragic situation prevailing in Assam, following Zubeen’s death. Keeping in consonance with that situation, and as a person who deserves some respect, the Assam Cricket Association and the BCCI will have a tribute program during the opening ceremony. This will be our respect and tribute to Zubeen,” Saikia said, as quoted by PTI.
He further added that the tribute was designed to pay homage to the stature and respect the artist had garnered over the years. “It will be a 40-minute program in memory of Zubeen and possibly the biggest tribute a cricketing fraternity can offer to him,” Saikia stated.
The three-day North East India Festival, where Garg was scheduled to perform, was cancelled after the tragedy. Saikia confirmed that detailed planning for this significant sporting tribute to an Indian musician is underway.
Adding to the musical festivities, acclaimed singer Shreya Ghoshal is also set to perform during the mid-innings break of the tournament opener, promising a vibrant blend of music and cricket on the global stage.
The World Cup is set to begin against the backdrop of a region in mourning, with the ODI world cup offering a platform to remember one of Assam’s most beloved voices.