India and Afghanistan T20I features Vande Mataram sung before National Anthem
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 13, 2026, 8:39 PM
Last updated Sep 13, 2026
Before India's T20I match against Afghanistan at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 2026, Vande Mataram was sung prior to the National Anthem. This marks the first time the National Song was performed before an international cricket match, following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs. India won the toss and chose to field first, with Jasprit Bumrah returning to the side for his first T20I since IPL 2026. Shreyas Iyer, the Indian captain, stated that the decision to bowl first was based on pitch conditions in Delhi.
- •Vande Mataram sung before the National Anthem for the first time in an international match.
- •India opted to field first after winning the toss.
- •Jasprit Bumrah made his T20I return in this match.
- •Shreyas Iyer highlighted pitch conditions as a reason for the bowling decision.
- •Afghanistan officially hosts the matches despite being played in Delhi.
- 8:39 PMYahoo Sports — After IND vs AFG first, ‘Vande Mataram’ set to become regular before India matches
- 8:10 PMYahoo Sports — Why Vande Mataram was sung before National Anthem in India vs Afghanistan T20I in Delhi - EXPLAINED
"The national song Vande Mataram was sung before the India vs Afghanistan cricket match on Sunday. Parliament had recently passed a bill making insults to the national song a punishable offense. The full six-stanza version of Vande Mataram was sung during the recent match. This amendment extends legal protection to the national song, similar to the national anthem.
"The National Song, Vande Mataram, was sung for the first time at an international cricket match before India's opening T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. The three-match T20I series began with an unusual moment as the two teams lined up on the field before the start of the match.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 8:39 PMAfter IND vs AFG first, ‘Vande Mataram’ set to become regular before India matches
The national song Vande Mataram was sung before the India vs Afghanistan cricket match on Sunday. Parliament had recently passed a bill making insults to the national song a punishable offense. The full six-stanza version of Vande Mataram was sung during the recent match. This amendment extends legal protection to the national song, similar to the national anthem.
- Yahoo SportsSep 13, 2026, 8:10 PMWhy Vande Mataram was sung before National Anthem in India vs Afghanistan T20I in Delhi - EXPLAINED
The National Song, Vande Mataram, was sung for the first time at an international cricket match before India's opening T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. The three-match T20I series began with an unusual moment as the two teams lined up on the field before the start of the match.
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