Guwahati, Oct 1: The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 kicked off in grand style at the Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati, as the opening match between India and Sri Lanka drew an unprecedented crowd of 22,843 spectators the highest-ever attendance recorded for any Women’s World Cup group-stage fixture.
The atmosphere was electric, with fans waving flags, chanting, and celebrating the spirit of cricket. For Guwahati, it was more than just a sporting spectacle it was a moment of history and pride.
On the field, India began their campaign on a winning note, defeating Sri Lanka by 59 runs (DLS method). In the rain-curtailed 47-over match, India posted a solid 269 for 8, powered by impressive half-centuries from Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma, whose century stand became the backbone of India’s innings.
Deepti Sharma continued her all-round brilliance, delivering a clinical spell with the ball to dismantle Sri Lanka’s middle order. Sneh Rana and Shree Charani provided crucial breakthroughs, restricting Sri Lanka to 211 all out in 45.4 overs.
The previous record of 15,935 spectators, set during the India–Pakistan clash at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, was comfortably surpassed, highlighting India’s growing passion for women’s cricket and Guwahati’s emergence as a global sporting venue.
Beyond the numbers, this edition of the Women’s World Cup is breaking boundaries featuring enhanced fan accessibility, inclusive ticketing initiatives, and the largest prize pool in women’s cricket history.
“This is not just a record for Guwahati but for women’s cricket as a whole. The energy here shows how far the game has come,” said a BCCI official after the match.
- Venue: Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Barsapara, Guwahati
- Match: India vs Sri Lanka (Opening Fixture)
- Attendance: 22,843 (Record for Women’s World Cup group-stage match)
- Result: India won by 59 runs (DLS method)
