New Delhi, Sept. 14 -- The national song Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, was played ahead of the national anthem Jana Gana Mana at an international sporting event for the first time, before India's opening T20 International against Afghanistan in New Delhi on Sunday.

The move followed a directive from the Union Home Ministry, under which all six stanzas of Vande Mataram were played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The national song lasted 3 minutes and 10 seconds, while the national anthem took 52 seconds, bringing the combined duration to 4 minutes and 2 seconds.

News agency PTI citing BCCI sources said Vande Mataram will now be played before the opening match of every home series.

"Vande Mataram will now be played...