Guwahati Sets Record Attendance for ICC Women's ODI

Guwahati, Oct 1 (PTI) - The vibrant atmosphere in Guwahati's stadium on Tuesday set a new attendance record for any ICC women's event group stage fixture, as nearly 23,000 fans gathered to witness the Women's ODI World Cup game between India and Sri Lanka. The International Cricket Council confirmed on Wednesday that the match claimed an impressive turnout of 22,843 spectators. The previous record was held by the India versus Pakistan match at last year's Women's T20 World Cup in Dubai, which saw 15,935 attendees.

As the tournament kicked off, the host team India delivered a commendable start, securing a victorious lead by defeating Sri Lanka by 59 runs. The victory strengthens their pursuit of clinching the title for the first time, utilizing their home ground advantage and recent track record of strong performances.

The opening ceremony of the match was a heartfelt tribute to Assam's beloved singer, the late Zubeen Garg. Esteemed musicians Papon, Joi Barua, and the distinguished Shillong Chamber Choir enchanted the audience with performances of Garg’s iconic compositions, paying homage to his enduring legacy.

Adding to the day's ceremonial highlights, Shreya Ghoshal performed the Indian national anthem, while Nuwandhika Kumari sang the Sri Lankan anthem. During the mid-innings break, Ghoshal took center stage once more, delivering the official tournament anthem and a selection of her popular hits.

In special recognition of women's cricketing pioneers, the BCCI celebrated 16 former Indian women cricketers during the match. Honorees included ICC Hall of Famers Diana Eduljee and Neetu David, as well as former captains Shanta Rangaswamy, Pramila Bhatt, Purnima Rau, Anjum Chopra, and Mithali Raj.

The 31-match tournament will unfold across diverse venues, including Guwahati, Indore, Vishakhapatnam, and Mumbai in India, as well as Colombo in Sri Lanka, showcasing the dynamic spirit of women's cricket.