Rajkummar Rao as Sourav Ganguly in ‘Dada’ brings back the legendary Lord’s moment. Here’s the story behind the shirt-waving act.
When the first look of Dada, Sourav Ganguly’s biopic, was dropped on his birthday today, it was a nostalgia bomb for fans. Rajkummar Rao stepping into Ganguly’s shoes and recreating that unforgettable shirtless balcony celebration at Lord’s instantly lit up social media. That jersey wave carried layers of revenge, drama, and even awkward family moments that shaped cricket folklore.
Ganguly’s act wasn’t random! It was his fiery response to Andrew Flintoff’s shirtless celebration at Wankhede. Dada carried that insult quietly, waiting for the perfect stage. When India clinched the NatWest Trophy at Lord’s, he made sure his payback was loud, clear, and unforgettable.
Inside the dressing room, the reactions were mixed. VVS Laxman tried to stop him, pleading “Na kar”, while Harbhajan Singh was ready to join in. Ganguly even told Laxman to take off his shirt too, but in the end, only the captain stood bare-chested, leaving everyone stunned. That jersey later became a prized relic, preserved for decades like a family treasure.
Even today, Ganguly admits the moment makes him blush, especially when his daughter Sana asked why he did it. His answer was simple: sometimes passion takes over, and you lose control.
What makes this story richer are the reactions of those around him. His wife, Dona Ganguly, laughed about it later, saying that it was wonderful because he always broke the rules. She recalled that even Sourav admitted he shouldn’t have done it, but she thought it was a fantastic gesture and added that all Bengalis enjoyed it.
VVS Laxman described the act as unconventional and fiercely proud, noting that Ganguly wore his heart on his sleeve and, at times, bared it too. He emphasized that empowering youngsters who went on to achieve great things for the country was a testament to Ganguly’s leadership.
Rahul Dravid admitted that he was shocked, wondering what Dada was up to. He remembered Harbhajan Singh sitting next to him, eager to join in, but said he pulled Bhajji’s shirt down to stop him. With a touch of humor, Dravid added that perhaps Harbhajan’s body might have looked a little better than Ganguly’s.
Harbhajan Singh himself recalled that Flintoff’s shirtless celebration at Wankhede was fresh in their minds. When India won the NatWest final, he was ready to take off his shirt too, but Dravid grabbed his hands and stopped him. Looking back, Harbhajan said that he was thankful, joking that otherwise he might have been tagged as someone copying Salman Khan’s trademark shirtless style.
Now, with Vikramaditya Motwane directing Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story and Rajkummar Rao stepping into Dada’s shoes, Bollywood is ready to bring back one of the sport’s most iconic celebrations on the big screen. The biopic is slated to hit the big screens on May 14, 2027.
