Sourav Ganguly Refutes Claims of Political Mediation Involving Yusuf Pathan

Sourav Ganguly has issued a strong denial against recent media reports suggesting he acted as a political mediator between Mamata Banerjee and Yusuf Pathan. The former cricket captain labeled the claims as false and emphasized the need for responsible journalism. Ganguly's statement comes in response to an article alleging that he conveyed a message from Banerjee to Pathan, asking him to resign from his parliamentary position. He clarified that no such communication took place, and Yusuf Pathan also denied the allegations. This incident highlights the importance of fact-checking in journalism.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 6, 2026, 18:54 IST

Sourav Ganguly Addresses False Allegations

Renowned former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has firmly rejected recent media speculation suggesting he acted as a political intermediary between ex-West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Yusuf Pathan, a current MP and former all-rounder for the Kolkata Knight Riders. This controversy arose from a front-page article in a well-known Bengali newspaper published on June 4, which claimed that Ganguly had approached Pathan with a message from Banerjee, urging him to resign from his position as the Baharampur MP. The report insinuated that this resignation would allow Banerjee to run in the upcoming by-elections for the seat, and it was alleged that Pathan had declined the proposal.

Ganguly's Strong Response to Media Claims

In a statement released to various media outlets on June 6, 2026, Ganguly categorically dismissed these allegations as "false and incorrect." He stated, "I was never asked by Ms. Mamata Banerjee to convey any message to Mr. Yusuf Pathan regarding his parliamentary seat or any other matter." Ganguly urged the media to refrain from spreading unverified information, emphasizing that the claims made in the article showed a "reckless disregard for the truth." He insisted that proper fact-checking should have been conducted before publishing such serious accusations.

Furthermore, Ganguly clarified that since no message was ever communicated, the narrative of Pathan rejecting any request is entirely fabricated. "I never contacted Mr. Yusuf Pathan with any such request. Therefore, the question of his response as alleged does not arise," he stated. He distanced himself from the political implications suggested in the article, asserting, "I have never engaged in political matters at any point with anyone involved." Yusuf Pathan also took to social media, denying the allegations in a video posted on his Facebook story.