Today is the day for real fake news. It's April 1, which means companies, newspapers and pranksters around the world try to make fools of us with their hoaxes. And on Sunday (April 1), Kings XI Punjab played the similar trick to get the better of cricket fans as they announced that former India opener Virender Sehwag will take the field for KXIP in the opening game of the 11th edition of Indian Premier League.
Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, KXIP’s verified handle posted: “BREAKING NEWS: You're in for a real treat. @virendersehwag will take the field in Vivo @IPL once again, replacing @AaronFinch5 for the season opener. It's deja vu all over again ???? #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #KXIP #VIVOIPL”
BREAKING NEWS:
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) April 1, 2018
You're in for a real treat. @virendersehwag will take the field in Vivo @IPL once again, replacing @AaronFinch5 for the season opener. It's deja vu all over again ????#LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #KXIP #VIVOIPL https://t.co/0fKHF24Tuv
While Kings XI Punjab played the prank to perfection, veteran India batsman Yuvraj Singh fuelled fire in it by writing: “Yes @virendersehwag has been working very hard in the nets looking forward to see him play again ????????.”
Yes @virendersehwag has been working very hard in the nets looking forward to see him play again ????????
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 1, 2018
Besides the Twitter account, the Kings XI Punjab also posted this fake news on their official website with made-up quotes from Sehwag himself.
“Sehwag will come out of retirement and will open the innings in the absence of Aaron Finch. The decision, which was taken at the team preparatory camp in Mohali after a long deliberation by captain Ravichandran Ashwin, coach Brad Hodge, Director of Cricket Operations Virender Sehwag himself and the team management,” the KXIP website stated.
“Initially it was just for giving the young boys some bowling practice. But I was seeing the ball really well and was able to play my strokes comfortably. So when the question of who will open in the first match in Finch’s absence came up and Brad jokingly said my name I really started thinking about it,” Sehwag quoted by kxip.in as saying.
“Delhi was my karmabhoomi for a few seasons when I was a player, but my loyalties lie with Kings XI Punjab now. And when it comes to Gauti, his name itself is so serious that maybe watching me bat again will bring a smile to his face,” Viru added.
The KXIP website also put some fabricated quotes of their head coach Brad Hodge.
“There were a number of names thrown up but somehow the team combination wasn’t coming together. But watching Sehwag bat in the nets gave me the idea of trying him in the opening match. We discussed this during the camp and he was more than happy to take the field once again,” Hodge quoted by kxip.in as saying.
The 11th edition of IPL will kick off from April 7, with returning franchise Chennai Super Kings taking on the defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede stadium. Kings XI Punjab will begin their campaign against Delhi Daredevils on April 8.