National anthem skipped ‘in hurry’ during India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I

Curtailed to 8 overs a side due to rain, the match went in India’s favour in the very last over, entitling them as the winners of the series.

The deciding T20I of the India–New Zealand three-match series was surely one of the most exciting matches played in recent times. Curtailed to 8 overs a side due to rain, the match went in India’s favour in the very last over, entitling them as the winners of the series. However, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) missed on a major ritual. Playing the national anthem of both sides before any game is a rule followed in all ICC matches barring any special instruction. But it was skipped during this particular match.

“Yes, that was a mistake on our part,” KCA secretary Jayesh George told Deccan Chronicles. “We were all there at the ground and in a hurry to start the match after rains. We forgot to play the national anthem. It’s a serious lapse on our part and I apologise [to the nation]. It will never happen again.”

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Controversial Indian pacer S Sreesanth is learnt to have been invited for the same match. However, it was confirmed by George that he did not attend.

India won the T20I series 2-1. They had outwitted New Zealand in the ODIs also. India’s next assignment is a full series against Sri Lanka at home before they head to South Africa.

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