First time ever: Vande Mataram sung before National Anthem at India cricket match

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 togetherThe 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.