NEW DELHI: 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.Instead of the Indian National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, Vande Mataram was played inside the stadium.The National Anthem was played after Vande Mataram ended.

Vande Mataram and National Anthem sung together

The development came after the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification earlier this year regarding Vande Mataram, India’s National Song.In a directive dated January 28, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) laid down protocols for singing the National Song. It said six stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung at official functions.It takes around 3 minutes and 10 seconds to sing all six stanzas of the song.The ministry listed events and situations where the National Song had to be sung along with the National Anthem. Sporting events were not included in the list.Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana were sung together in full for the first time on August 15, 2026, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his Independence Day speech.

India opt to field against Afghanistan

The unusual start was followed by the toss, with India winning it and opting to field first.Jasprit Bumrah returned to the India playing XI for his first T20I appearance since IPL 2026. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi missed out, with Sanju Samson selected in his place despite the youngster’s impressive performances in the Zimbabwe T20I series.India are the designated away side for the series, while Afghanistan are the official home team even though the matches are being played in Delhi.

Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not playing?

India captain Shreyas Iyer said the team decided to bowl first after considering the conditions in Delhi. He also spoke about the positives from the Zimbabwe series and Bumrah’s return.“We are going to bowl first. Whenever you come to Delhi, you know what the pitch has got to offer; it usually is a bowl-first wicket. We had a lot of positives in Zimbabwe; we will try and continue on that. We know Bumrah is a match-winner. Vaibhav is not playing, Washington is not playing, and two more,” Iyer said at the toss presentations.

India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I playing XIs:

India: Sanju Samson (w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy.Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.