**Women’s WC: Crowd Attendance in IND-SL Match Breaks Records**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 01, 2025, 09:26 am*
The opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 between India and Sri Lanka has set a new milestone in women’s cricket. Held at Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium on September 30, the game attracted an unprecedented crowd of 22,843 fans. This marks the highest attendance ever recorded for any group stage match in the history of the Women’s World Cup, surpassing the previous record of 15,935 during the India-Pakistan clash in 2024.
**Endorsements and Praise**
ICC Hall of Famer Sachin Tendulkar has applauded the impressive progress made by women’s cricket in recent years. He credited the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as a transformative platform, providing much-needed visibility and financial security to women cricketers.
Tendulkar also expressed gratitude towards Jay Shah, former BCCI secretary, for his advocacy of equal match fees for men and women and for laying the foundation of the WPL. According to Tendulkar, these developments have been game-changers for the sport.
**Recognition for ICC’s Initiatives**
In addition, Tendulkar lauded the ICC for announcing record prize money for the Women’s World Cup, which even exceeds the amount offered for the men’s World Cup in 2023. He highlighted that such administrative measures not only change lives but also send a powerful message that women’s cricket deserves equal respect.
The former Indian cricketer emphasized that initiatives like these inspire aspiring young girls by showing them that their passion is valued equally on the global stage.
**Match Highlights**
In a rain-curtailed encounter, India emerged victorious over Sri Lanka by 59 runs (DLS method). India batted first and posted a competitive total of 269/8 in 47 overs. Crucial half-centuries from Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma helped stabilize the innings after a shaky start.
Sri Lanka’s innings faltered with a middle-order collapse, and they were eventually bowled out for 211 runs. Deepti Sharma delivered a standout performance with both bat and ball, taking three wickets for 54 runs (3/54). With this feat, she became India’s second-highest wicket-taker in women’s ODI cricket, surpassing former spinner Neetu David.
The match not only set new attendance records but also showcased the growing competitiveness and popularity of women’s cricket worldwide.
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