Published: Apr 02, 2026, 04:28 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 02, 2026, 04:28 PM (IST)
Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen having an animated conversation with captain Rishabh Pant and the team’s support staff after LSG suffered a six-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 opening match at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday.
LSG were bowled out for just 141, with Abdul Samad (36) and Mitchell Marsh (35) being the top scorers. Delhi Capitals chased the target comfortably despite an early collapse.
After the loss, Goenka was spotted talking animatedly with Pant and the support staff. The moment quickly went viral on social media, with many fans comparing it to Goenka’s famous heated chat with former LSG captain KL Rahul.
The viral images and videos sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans felt it looked like a public dressing-down, while others defended it as passionate feedback.
One fan wrote on X: “Winning and losing are part of the game, but public humiliation shouldn’t be. If Sanjiv Goenka has concerns, they belong in the dressing room, not on a global broadcast. Lecturing a captain like KL Rahul & Rishabh Pant in front of cameras feels less like ‘passion’ and more like a ‘boss’ trying to show who’s in charge. Respect the players who give their all.”
Another Redditor commented: “Someone hand over the ball or bat to Mr. Sanjiv for the next match.”
A third user simply wrote: “I have seen this one before…“
Fourth fan wrote on X: “Yesterday Rishabh Pant was unfortunately dismissed it was not his fault you know this very well despite this you started humiliating him in front of people! To what extent is this right ? If other players did not bat and bowl well what is Rishabh fault in that ? @DrSanjivGoenka”
The conversation reminded fans of the infamous incident involving KL Rahul. In a IPL 2024 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, LSG posted 165/4 but lost badly as Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head chased the target in under 10 overs. After the defeat, Goenka was seen giving Rahul a public dressing-down.
Rahul later revealed that the incident affected the entire team.
“Whatever happened on the field after the game wasn’t the nicest thing to be part of or something that anyone wants to see on the cricket field. I think it did affect the entire group,” Rahul told Star Sports.
Sanjiv Goenka’s animated chat with Rishabh Pant after LSG’s opening loss has once again sparked debate about owner-player interactions in the IPL. While some see it as passion, others feel it crosses the line into public humiliation.
