Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Vande Mataram Precedes National Anthem in Historic India-Japan T20I
Before a cricket match in Japan, India’s National Song, “Vande Mataram,” was played before its National Anthem, “Jana Gana Mana.”
The two songs have different official roles in India.
The order was part of the ceremony and did not change either song’s status.
The report described this as the first time the song was played before the anthem at a cricket match outside India.
It also said an earlier India-Afghanistan match was the first such occasion at an international sports event.
The match was India’s first men’s T20I against Japan.
It celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations between the countries.
Rain and a wet outfield shortened the game to five overs for each team.
India won the toss and decided to bat first.
“Vande Mataram” was played before “Jana Gana Mana” during the pre-match ceremony in Sano, Japan.
The sequence marked the first reported playing of “Vande Mataram” before the anthem at a cricket match on foreign soil.
“Vande Mataram” is India’s National Song, while “Jana Gana Mana” is the National Anthem.
The one-off India-Japan men’s T20I commemorated 75 years of diplomatic relations and was Japan’s first T20I against India.
Wet-outfield delays reduced the match to five overs per side, with India choosing to bat first.
- Who
- India and Japan, with Shreyas Iyer captaining India.
- What
- “Vande Mataram” was played before “Jana Gana Mana” at a pre-match ceremony for a one-off men’s T20I.
- When
- Before the match on Tuesday; no calendar date is provided.
- Where
- Sano International Stadium in Sano, Japan.
- Why
- The fixture formed part of celebrations for 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations, while the ceremony followed guidance requiring “Vande Mataram” as part of anniversary observances.
- Ceremony order
- “Vande Mataram” was played before “Jana Gana Mana”.
- Song status
- “Vande Mataram” is recognised as India’s National Song; “Jana Gana Mana” is the National Anthem.
- Foreign-soil milestone
- The report described the ceremony as the first time “Vande Mataram” preceded the anthem at a cricket match on foreign soil.
- Earlier international event
- The first reported instance at an international sports event was before India’s T20I against Afghanistan on September 13.
- Guidance
- The Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines on February 6 requiring “Vande Mataram” as part of the 150th-year anniversary observance.
- Match significance
- It was Japan’s first men’s T20I against India and celebrated 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
- Match conditions
- Wet-outfield delays reduced the game to five overs per side; India won the toss and chose to bat.
