Guwahati: As Guwahati prepares to host four ICC Women’s World Cup fixtures, including the tournament opener between India and Sri Lanka on September 30, the Assam Cricket Association and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced a 40-minute tribute program in memory of late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the tribute segment will celebrate Garg’s extraordinary journey as a musician, composer, actor, and cultural ambassador. The program will highlight his vast contributions to Indian music and culture, tracing a career that spanned over three decades.
The memorial segment will also feature a special musical performance by playback singer Shreya Ghoshal. She is set to perform some of her most popular Bollywood songs along with the tournament’s official anthem, ‘Bring it Home’.
The BCCI decided to dedicate the ICC event’s opening ceremony to Zubeen, who was also a cricket enthusiast.
“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 programme during the opening ceremony. This will be our respect and tribute to Zubeen,” said Devajit Saikia.
Known for his soulful voice and versatility, Zubeen Garg gained nationwide fame with songs like Ya Ali. Over his career, he recorded more than 38,000 songs across 40 languages, including Hindi, Assamese, and Bengali. He also received the National Award for Best Music Direction for the non-feature film Echoes of Silence at the 55th National Awards in 2009.
Lauding the team for its efforts in the just-concluded three-match ODI series against Australia, where it lost 1-2, Saikia said, “It was a very keenly contested series, which Australia won 2-1. But India played extremely well. Australia is a very good team, but India is catching up. And till now, India has not won any ICC women’s trophy, so this is a big opportunity for the team to do well.”
ALSO READ: Assam: Purabi Dairy cuts prices of key products after GST reduction
He added, “Indian women’s cricket has come of age. I am sure they will make a remarkable performance in the upcoming World Cup. I hope that the jinx will be broken this time.”
