Preity Zinta, who co-owns Kings XI Punjab franchise, has pulled the biggest prank involving former India opening batsman Virender Sehwag on April Fool’s Day.

On 1 April, the Ravichandran Ashwin-led KXIP announced that veteran Delhi Daredevils opener Virender Sehwag will replace Aaron Finch and open their innings against Gautam Gambhir’s DD in the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League on April 8.

KXIP even issued a statement claiming Sehwag was all set to replace Finch for the fixture against the Daredevils.

The team claimed that the decision that Sehwag would open for them was taken after a long discussion with their skipper, coach Brad Hodge and Director of Cricket Operations Sehwag himself.

Even the franchise’s chief executive officer Satish Menon commented that he was overjoyed by Sehwag’s decision to open his side’s innings against Delhi.

However, the team later updated the same statement and said, “Whoops, April Fool’s! Sorry sheron, as much as we would like to see Viru-paaji take the field for us again, it isn’t really happening.”

“This was just a little prank that the Fun-jabi side of us couldn’t resist. Hope we haven’t ruffled too many feathers. Peace!”

Lol! A perfect prank by @virendersehwag 😋 #AprilFoolsDay #LivePunjabiPlayPunjabi #KXIP #KingsXIPunjab #VivoIPL

Keep supporting the Kings at the #ISBindraStadium & book your tickets ➡ https://t.co/hMidVMPMwg pic.twitter.com/RhKxW9BRY5

— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip) April 1, 2018

Virender Sehwag also took to micro-blogging site Twitter to clarify that he will not be opening KXIP’s innings and said, “Guys, hope you enjoyed my batting. That was the perfect April Fool. I think this is my first prank to my fans, to Kings XI Punjab fans and to everybody”.

“Thanks to media who reported that I am going to be back again, but that’s not true. It was April Fool. Thank you so much. Wish you all the best. Keep watching Kings XI Punjab page, keep watching Kings XI Punjab matches. Love you guys,” Sehwag added.

Don’t Miss: Virat Kohli to start his Bollywood innings with this Karan Johar film

The much-talked-about cash-rich league will kick-start its eleventh edition of April 7. In the opening match of the tournament, defending champions Mumbai Indians will play against two times IPL champion Chennai Super Kings.

KXIP will start their campaign against Delhi based team with a home game in Mohali.