New Delhi: For the first time in international cricket history, India’s national song, Vande Mataram, was rendered on the field prior to the national anthem before the first T20 International against Afghanistan at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on 13 September 2026. Both teams lined up on the outfield as the full six-stanza version of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's composition played for three minutes and 10 seconds, followed immediately by India's national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The combined pre-match ceremonial rendition lasted four minutes and two seconds, marking a historic departure from standard single-anthem protocols at international sporting venues.

Alignment with Home Ministry Directives

This change follows the updated directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the national song. The MHA issued guidelines establishing official protocols for Vande Mataram, specifying that whenever both the national song and the national anthem are performed together at official functions, Vande Mataram must precede Jana Gana Mana. Officials confirmed that the full rendition of the national song, first adopted in part in 1950, is now formally incorporated into the pre-match proceedings for home international fixtures.

Pre-Match Action and On-Field Returns

The ceremonial milestone preceded the opening clash of the three-match Friendship Cup series, where Afghanistan acts as the official host team despite playing on Indian soil. Indian captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to field first in Delhi. Afghanistan scored a decent 158/8 in their 20 overs and put India to chase.