When Yuvraj Singh's Prank Nearly Ended Sourav Ganguly’s Captaincy

A fascinating historical anecdote has resurfaced detailing how Sourav Ganguly nearly resigned as the captain of the Indian cricket team due to an elaborate prank. The incident occurred in 2005, just before a high-stakes One-Day International (ODI) series against arch-rivals Pakistan in Kochi. Teammates, led by Yuvraj Singh and supported by senior players like Sachin Tendulkar, staged a mock revolt that left the captain visibly shaken and questioning his leadership.

The prank involved the players presenting Ganguly with a fake newspaper clipping or statement suggesting that the team was unhappy with his captaincy style and recent comments. Believing the dissent to be genuine, a hurt and panicked Ganguly reportedly offered to quit his post immediately, stating that he did not wish to lead a group that lacked faith in him. It was only after the players burst into laughter and Harbhajan Singh revealed the joke that the tension finally dissipated in the dressing room.

This story highlights the unique camaraderie and high-pressure environment of the Indian cricket team during the early 2000s under 'Dada's' leadership. While the prank nearly backfired by costing the team its leader, it also illustrated the deep personal bonds between players like Yuvraj, Sachin, and Ganguly. For modern fans, these stories serve as a reminder of the human side of professional sports, where humor often acted as a vital release valve during intense international series.