Why was India’s national anthem stopped midway during the 1st T20I against South Africa? Reason revealed

Team India have made a great start to the first T20I game in Durban against South Africa. The home team decided to bowl first after winning the toss on Friday. The two teams made their way to the ground as the national anthems were about to play. India’s anthem was played first with the players standing. 

Just as the national anthem began to be played there was a sudden stoppage. This was due to a technical issue that wasn’t appreciated by many in the crowd. Indian players didn’t stop as they kept going with their duties despite all the confusion. The crowd vented their anger at the end of the drill. 

Technical issues while playing India national anthem at South Africa #INDvSApic.twitter.com/zERCrEi3DV

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Sanju Samson carried on with his good form with the bat as he reached his fifty from 27 balls. The 29-year-old was batting on 90 at the time of writing and hoping to become the first Indian batter to score two successive T20I centuries. 

Team India makes strong start to series 

After being put into bat first, India lost their first wicket when Abhishek Sharma was out for 7. Gerald Coetzee got the opening wicket when he had Sharma caught by skipper Aiden Makram in the 4th over of the innings. 

Suryakumar Yadav scored 21 off 17 balls with 2 fours and a six. His innings ended when he was caught by Patrick Kruger off Andile Simelane in the final ball of the 9th over. Samson and Suryakumar Yadav had added 66 runs for the second wicket in just 35 balls. 

Tilak Varma got off the mark with a huge six before hit yet another boundary to show his form with the bat. Samson on the other hand was going from strength to strength as he hit a terrific six off Simelane to reach his 90’s. 

Team India reached the 100 in the 11th over as Samson hit his former Rajasthan Royals teammate Keshav Maharaj for a six. The 150 came in the 14th over when Varma hit Kruger for a six just after hitting the previous ball for a four. India were placed at 154/2 in the 14th over with Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh yet to bat.