India plays “Vande Mataram” before the national anthem for the first time in an international cricket match, during the opening T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi. Reports say the teams line up at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as the full version of the song is performed.
Multiple outlets say “Vande Mataram” is sung in all six stanzas, taking about three minutes and 10 seconds. One report links the change to a directive from India’s Home Ministry ahead of the match and says it will continue for home series. Another reports that the move follows a recent legal change: Parliament passes a bill making insults to the national song punishable, extending legal protection in a way described as similar to the national anthem.
Outlets broadly agree on the match, location, and that this is a first at the international cricket level. Their differences mainly concern the immediate driver—either the Home Ministry directive and upcoming continuity for home matches, or the recent parliamentary law that strengthens enforcement for the song.
