Artist, music producer and composer Khushboo Wadhwani, professionally known as Kiara, is performing at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India and Sri Lanka 2026, becoming the only Indian female artist to appear on the tournament’s stadium entertainment stage.
At 28, Kiara has already performed at several of India’s major cricket venues and has rapidly emerged as a prominent name in live sports entertainment. For the World Cup, she is among a select group of artists chosen from across the country to curate and deliver the in-stadium music experience during matches.
Her role extends beyond performing short musical segments. Kiara is responsible for managing the entire stadium soundscape during games, a high-intensity engagement that can last six to seven hours per match. The position requires precise coordination with the pace of the game, including pausing music moments before a bowler begins their run-up to ensure that the match proceeds without disruption. Kiara describes the role as requiring “100% accuracy and timing” while contributing to the atmosphere of the sport.
Her association with major cricket tournaments began when she was selected as the official DJ for the Gujarat Titans during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 marks her third major international cricket tournament appearance, following performances at the IPL and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup hosted in Dubai and Sharjah.
Over the past few years, Kiara has performed at several of India’s most iconic cricket venues, including Eden Gardens, Wankhede Stadium, and the Narendra Modi Stadium, widely known as the world’s largest cricket stadium.
“It’s an incredible honor to be part of an event as iconic as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Standing behind the console in front of tens of thousands of cricket fans is an electrifying experience and it feels truly special to represent women artists in an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated. I hope this moment encourages more women to step into spaces like live sports entertainment and claim their place on global stages. It’s incredibly meaningful to see more women finding space and recognition in industries that were once largely male-dominated, whether in sports or in music. Being one of the few Indian female DJs performing at a global platform like the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is truly special for me. Having previously performed during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, where the stadium was filled with incredible women athletes from around the world, I witnessed how powerful representation can be. Moments like these remind me how important it is for more women to step forward and be seen on the biggest stages,” says Kiara.
Kiara has also witnessed the growing momentum surrounding women’s cricket. Having performed at a women’s cricket tournament in 2024, she experienced the atmosphere of a stadium celebrating women athletes from around the world. The moment gained added significance after India’s first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup victory in November 2025, reflecting broader progress in expanding opportunities for women both on and off the field.
Her presence at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup also highlights the evolving role of music in modern cricket stadiums. With tens of thousands of fans in attendance and millions watching globally, the in-stadium soundscape plays a key role in shaping the live match experience. Through carefully timed music selections and high-energy performances, Kiara contributes to amplifying the excitement of contemporary cricket.
