'Dada, this is not done': When Ganguly nearly gave up India captaincy over a prank
Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly nearly resigned from his position in 2005 after being targeted by an elaborate April Fool's prank orchestrated by teammates. The prank involved fake newspaper clippings and the participation of senior players Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
Why it matters
This anecdote provides a humanizing look at the high-pressure environment of professional sports and the dynamics within the Indian cricket team.
The prank was supposed to bring a few laughs to India’s dressing room ahead of a series against Pakistan. Instead, it left captain Sourav Ganguly so worried that he was ready to give up the captaincy.It happened on April Fool’s Day in 2005, a day before India began a one-day series against Pakistan in Kochi. With the pressure of playing their familiar rivals already building, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh decided to play a prank on Ganguly.The two came into the dressing room with fake newspaper clippings carrying made-up statements in which Ganguly had supposedly criticised his teammates for being party animals, irresponsible and distant.The clippings looked convincing enough to leave Ganguly confused."Puri team baithi hui thi (the entire team was sitting) when we created this drama and decided that we will make an April Fool of Dada.
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