There was a bizarre mix-up ahead of the Australia-England Champions Trophy clash today (Saturday, February 22) as the Indian national anthem was played briefly as the two teams lined up.
Ahead of all games in ICC events, the national anthems of the two participating teams are played, with the players lining up on the ground alongside the national flags. On Saturday in Lahore, the England anthem ‘God Save the King’ was played as per schedule, but the start of the Australian anthem was delayed after the loudspeakers blared ‘Jana Gana Mana’, India’s anthem instead.
The organisers realised their error as the anthem was halted abruptly before Australia’s was played. The incident, however, did not go down well on social media.
The organisers' backup for the Indian national anthem is especially confusing since the Indian team isn't scheduled to play in Pakistan during the tournament.
India did not travel to the country for the Champions Trophy due to political conflicts, with all their games being held in Dubai instead. Pakistan, who visited India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, have also decided against going to the country for future ICC events, instead wanting to play their matches on a neutral venue.
India and Pakistan will be facing off in a Group A encounter on Sunday in Dubai, the latter needing a win to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
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