In an unprecedented moment in international sports history, India’s national song, Vande Mataram, was played and sung on the field before the national anthem during the first T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The landmark pre-match ritual follows guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which mandate playing the six-stanza rendition of the national song prior to Jana Gana Mana at official events. On the pitch, captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl, marking the return of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and opener Sanju Samson to the playing XI.
Historic First: Indian Players Sing Vande Mataram Before National Anthem in 1st T20I
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History was created at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi as India’s national song, Vande Mataram, was played on the field prior to the national anthem ahead of the first T20I against Afghanistan. As both squads lined up on the pitch for the pre-match ceremony, the venue echoed with the full 190-second rendition of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s historic poem, followed immediately by the national anthems of both visiting and host teams. This marked the first time Vande Mataram was performed as part of the official pre-match protocol in international cricket.
Government Directives and Protocol Updates
The pre-match ritual follows comprehensive guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The directive stipulates that when the national song and national anthem (Jana Gana Mana) are performed together at official events, Vande Mataram must precede the anthem, with the audience standing attentively throughout.
