Women’s World Cup : Shreya Ghoshal’s soulful rendition of national anthem sparks patriotism ahead of IND-W vs SL-W game

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The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 began on September 30 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati with the opening match between India Women and Sri Lanka Women. This exciting day-night fixture marked the start of one of the most prestigious tournaments in women’s cricket. Fans across the nation and the world gathered in anticipation to witness high-quality cricket and celebrate the sport’s growing prominence. Before the match, the perfect blend of sport and culture was highlighted by renowned Indian singer Shreya Ghoshal, whose patriotic rendition of the national anthem set an inspiring tone for the event despite a weather delay caused by a wet outfield.

Ghoshal captivated the crowd with her soulful and melodious singing of “Jana Gana Mana” clad in a traditional Indian sari, stirring deep patriotism amongst players and spectators alike. Her performance earned a standing ovation, transforming the stadium into a unifying space of pride and emotion that celebrated Indian culture and the spirit of the game.

Ghoshal’s involvement extended beyond the national anthem, as she also performed the tournament’s official anthem, “Bring It Home,” a high-energy track celebrating the spirit of women’s cricket. Her presence, both in the dressing room and on the field, provided a motivational boost to the Indian team, who are aiming to win their maiden ICC trophy after 41 years without a global title.

India stands for India! 🇮🇳

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 30, 2025

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Before the first ball was bowled, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and elected to field, putting India into bat. The hosts began their innings with the explosive duo of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal.

However, Sri Lanka struck early, dismissing Mandhana for just 8 off 10 balls. The left-hander, who had punished Achini Kulasuriya with two consecutive boundaries in the third over, was caught by Vishmi Gunaratne off Udeshika Prabodhani’s bowling at 14/1 in the 3.2nd over. This breakthrough came during the mandatory powerplay, which saw India score 43 runs for the loss of one wicket in 10 overs. At the other end, Pratika Rawal remained unbeaten on 18 off 31 balls, while Harleen Deol held firm with 15 off 19, forming a stabilizing 29-run partnership.

Unfortunately, play was halted due to a wet outfield, with rain interrupting the proceedings just after the powerplay. The match remain suspended with India at 43/1, and fans await updates on the resumption of play. The pitch, described as a batting-friendly surface, had offered early assistance to the Sri Lankan seamers, but the weather ultimately became the deciding factor in the opening session.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.