{
  "id": 7118167,
  "title": "First time ever: Vande Mataram sung before National Anthem at India cricket match",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/first-time-ever-vande-mataram-sung-before-national-anthem-at-india",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-13T14:40:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-afghanistan/why-vande-mataram-was-sung-before-national-anthem-in-india-vs-afghanistan-t20i-in-delhi/articleshow/134206904.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New Delhi witnessed a historic moment in the first-ever T20 International cricket match between India and Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Instead of the customary Indian National Anthem, the National Song, Vande Mataram, was sung before the commencement of the game. The unusual event followed a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which mandated the singing of Vande Mataram's six stanzas at official functions. The match began with the two teams lining up on the field, and the Indian team opted to field first after winning the toss. Captain Shreyas Iyer cited the pitch conditions in Delhi as the reason for choosing to bowl first.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Vande Mataram sung before National Anthem at India-Afghanistan T20 match",
    "Directive from Ministry of Home Affairs mandated singing of Vande Mataram",
    "Indian team chose to field first after winning toss in Delhi match"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "After IND vs AFG first, ‘Vande Mataram’ set to become regular before India matches",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/after-ind-vs-afg-first-vande-mataram-set-to-become-regular-before",
        "published": "2026-09-13T15:09:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Why Vande Mataram was sung before National Anthem in India vs Afghanistan T20I in Delhi - EXPLAINED",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/why-vande-mataram-was-sung-before-national-anthem-in-india-vs",
        "published": "2026-09-13T20:10:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}