Watch: India's National Anthem Stops Midway Before 1st T20I vs South Africa, Leaving Players Confused
In this high-stakes series, South Africa won the toss and opted to field first, setting up a much-anticipated rematch following India’s recent victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, where they triumphed by seven runs to secure their second title.
Before the first T20I match between India and South Africa in Durban, the Indian national anthem encountered a technical glitch, halting midway and briefly leaving players and fans confused. As the anthem stopped, the Indian players continued singing, showing their resilience and respect for the anthem despite the disruption. Shortly after, the anthem resumed from where it had stopped, and the crowd expressed both their initial disapproval and final support with a burst of applause as the teams prepared for the match.
In this high-stakes series, South Africa won the toss and opted to field first, setting up a much-anticipated rematch following India’s recent victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, where they triumphed by seven runs to secure their second title. India’s "Men in Blue" came into this game with a strong record at Durban’s Kingsmead Cricket Ground, where they have won four out of five matches.
Suryakumar Yadav, captaining India, stated that the team would have chosen to bat first had they won the toss, despite the overcast conditions. The playing XI for India included Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper, with a mix of established players and emerging talents, such as Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh. South Africa’s lineup, led by captain Aiden Markram, featured key players like Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Keshav Maharaj.
