Deepti, Amanjot deliver for India

The two all-rounders, along with Rana, rise to the occasion and help co-hosts win

- INDRANEEL DAS

GOOSEBUMPS, tears, holding gamuchas (Assamese traditional towel) with tributes on Zubeen Garg written on them.

Songs of his were sung by Papon, Joi Barua, the Shillong Chamber Choir- all slow and solemn as the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup began in an emotionally charged atmosphere.

The entire stadium stood in silence still recuperating from the sudden demise of the regions greatest music icon. There is no Zubeen but his voice remains like an invisible force that's binding the people of the entire region together. The beauty of an artist's ability to transcend the normal and render justice to the highest form of art was visible in every corner of the stadium. On Maha Ashtami (of Durga Puja) day, considered the most auspicious of the festival, there was a sizeable crowd.

Heat and humidity together were oppressive, but soon the tributes and emotions gave way for a good cricket match where India kickstarted their campaign with a 59-run win (DLS).

It was a contest that had it all.