The 2025 World Cup marks the return of the tournament to India after 12 years (ICC Photo)

NEW DELHI: Indian music sensation Shreya Ghoshal will set the stage ablaze at the opening ceremony of the Women’s World Cup 2025 in Guwahati, the ICC announced on Thursday. Her live performance will precede the tournament opener between India and Sri Lanka on September 30.Ghoshal, who has also lent her voice to the official anthem “Bring it Home”, will headline the ceremony with a show designed to capture the energy, spirit, and unity of women’s cricket on the global stage. The ICC said her act will be supported by thematic visuals and on-ground activations, promising a spectacular start to the month-long tournament.In a fan-first initiative, this edition will also set a new benchmark for accessibility, with ticket prices for league matches in India starting at just ?100 (approx. $1.14) — the lowest for any ICC global event. The move aims to ensure packed stands and buzzing atmospheres as the women’s game continues to rise in profile and popularity.Adding to the excitement, Google Pay will offer fans exclusive pre-sale access to tickets in the first phase, covering all round-robin league matches. General sales for the second phase begin on September 9, with fans encouraged to register in advance.The 2025 World Cup marks the return of the tournament to India after 12 years, with eight teams vying for the sport’s most prestigious prize in women’s cricket.