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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.
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. 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.
India captain Shreyas Iyer said the team decided to bowl first after considering the conditions in Delhi. Vaibhav is not playing, Washington is not playing, and two more,” Iyer said at the toss presentations. 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. 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.