ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: India vs Sri Lanka match creates history
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 opened in Guwahati with a record crowd of 22,843, surpassing the previous attendance for a group stage match. India triumphed over Sri Lanka in the opening match
Last Updated: 05.18 PM, Oct 01, 2025
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 commenced with a landmark moment in Guwahati as the opening match between India and Sri Lanka set a new attendance record for a Women’s Cricket World Cup group stage fixture. The ACA Stadium witnessed an impressive crowd of 22,843 spectators, surpassing the previous record of 15,935 set during the India-Pakistan match at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2024.
A record 22,843 crowd in Guwahati
ICC events in India have always set some sort of records. ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, which is set to be one of the biggest events in Women’s Cricket history, set a landmark record just in the first match.
In the opening match of the tournament, the fans were first entertained with an impressive opening show starring Shreya Ghoshal and then an incredible match where India clinched victory.
A record 22,843 watched the match from the ground, which has now broken the record for the highest attendance in a Women’s Cricket World Cup group stage match.
The biggest Women’s World Cup ever
Alongside the record attendance, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has already set new benchmarks in terms of fan accessibility and financial incentives.
The prize money for this tournament has been announced as the highest ever in women’s cricket history, even exceeding the amount offered in the men’s World Cup 2023, signaling a significant shift towards equality and recognition for women athletes in the sport.
Cricket legend and ICC Hall of Famer Sachin Tendulkar praised the remarkable progress women’s cricket has made recently.
In his column for the ICC, Tendulkar highlighted the transformative impact of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), describing it as a “game-changer” that has provided crucial platforms, visibility, and financial security to female cricketers worldwide.
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Tendulkar commended the efforts of Jay Shah, who, as BCCI secretary, championed equal match fees for men and women and helped establish the WPL.
He noted that such administrative steps, although seemingly procedural, have profound real-life consequences by validating the passion and dreams of aspiring young female cricketers. Tendulkar also acknowledged the ICC’s historic announcement of the highest prize money for the women’s tournament as a symbolic and practical message that women's cricket deserves equal respect.