A GROUP of mates hilariously tricked their pal into becoming a Cambridge mascot for a clash against Bradford.
Rishab Khatri, 28, was the victim of the prank after being invited to the club by work colleagues.
Rishab Khatri was pranked into becoming a Cambridge mascotCredit: Simon Lankester/Triangle News
Rishab was a mascot alongside a five-year-oldCredit: Andy Ball/Triangle News
But little did he know he would spend the afternoon dressing up in the full kit and holding the keeper’s hand while heading out on to the field.
The brains behind the idea, colleague Andy Ball, had told the club that they were in attendance to celebrate Rishab’s stag-do.
It was only when they warned him to stop guzzling pints that he noticed something was up.
After being handed the full kit by staff members at Cambridge, his mates further gave him boots, shinpads and a captain’s armband.
Along with a fellow five-year-old mascot, he then stepped out on to the field in front of 4,500 people alongside goalkeeper Callum Burton.
The players were just p*****g themselves laughing.
He also warmed up in front of the away fans and met the Cambridge players – who couldn’t stop laughing at him.
Rishab, from Essex said: “The players were just p*****g themselves laughing.
“I decided to just go for it.
“I thought now I’m into this, I might as well make the most of it.
“It was a great experience, meeting the players and the other match mascot who was five – which was pretty embarrassing.”
Andy noticed that the U’s had put out an advert for a match mascot, so called up and told them it was Rishab’s stag.
They agreed to entertain Rishab, so Andy texted the unlucky IT consultant saying the club had offered him the chance to meet the players as it was his first home game.
Rishab added: “I thought that was nice of Cambridge United.
“I had no idea this elaborate plan was going on in the background.”
The players found the prank hilariousCredit: Simon Lankester/Triangle News
The IT consultant was pranked by his work matesCredit: Andy Ball/Triangle News
Rishab came out alongside the goalkeeper in his boots and shin padsCredit: Simon Lankester/Triangle News
“I thought something was fishy, as they have never stopped me drinking before.”
He then got further suspicious when he was told he didn’t need a ticket.
Rishab must have inspired the U’s to victory, as they came from behind to beat Bradford 2-1.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
