New Delhi, Sept. 14 -- For the first time at a cricket match involving the India men's team, the national song, Vande Mataram, was played in full before the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, ahead of the first T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday. It is in keeping with new protocol that is expected to be followed before the start of series where the national anthem is traditionally played. The development follows the passage of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in late July. The amendment to Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, extends to the national song, the same legal protection currently afforded to the national anthem. Under the law, it thus ma...