Cricket South Africa (CSA) suffered a significant embarrassment in the first T20I match against India On 8 November 2024 at Kingsmead, Durban, when the Indian national anthem was interrupted twice due to a technical fault. This incident not only confused the players, but also caused anger among the fans who expressed their displeasure on social networks.
Awkward intro due to technical glitch
As the teams lined up for the national anthems, the Indian national anthem began to play, but was suddenly interrupted. The Indian players showed remarkable composure and continued to hum despite the break. However, when the anthem stopped for the second time, confusion filled the players, including famous faces. Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varmawho are visibly confused by the situation. Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Akhar Patel managed to smile through the tension, but the disruption was palpable among the teams and the audience alike.
The public’s reaction was mixed; While many applauded the players’ professionalism in handling the ordeal, others took to social media to express their anger. The fans called the incident “unacceptable”, questioned the organization of the CSA and called for accountability regarding such an important aspect of any sporting event – the national anthem.
Also READ: Twitter reactions: Sanju Samson, bowlers take India to series lead over South Africa
We present the video:
Technical problems while playing India’s national anthem in South Africa #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/zERCrEi3DV
— Mr. Perfect 🗿 (@gotnochills007) November 8, 2024
India’s stellar performance amid controversy
Despite this troubling start, India’s performance on the field was commendable. Goalkeeper-prone Sanju Samson shone brightly, scoring his second consecutive T20I century (107 off 50 deliveries), becoming only the fourth player in men’s T20Is to achieve the feat. Surya praised Samson for prioritizing team success over personal milestones, highlighting his dedication and hard work over the years.
Surya’s leadership in T20 cricket has been marked by a string of victories since his induction as captain. He attributed this latest victory to the team’s fearless approach and camaraderie. “The boys made it easy for me“, – he emphasized during the post-match presentation that they played without fear and enjoyed their time on and off the field.
While the CSA has yet to release an official statement on the anthem incident, it’s a reminder of how important such ceremonial moments are in sports. A technical glitch may have overshadowed the start of an exciting match, but it did not dampen India’s spirit or performance on the day. As both teams turn their attention back to cricket, fans will no doubt hope for smoother proceedings in future encounters.
