Disgraced IPL founder Lalit Modi has launched a scathing attack on Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka, criticising his conduct towards his players. Goenka has often been under the media glare, given his antics post-game. After a recent loss against Punjab Kings, the LSG owner was seen having an animated chat with skipper Rishabh Pant at the ground. In IPL 2024, his infamous chat with then-LSG captain KL Rahul also went viral.
Taking to social media, Lalit Modi thought Sanjiv Goenka’s conduct towards his players was unacceptable. Modi urged the IPL governing council to reprimand the Kolkata-based billionaire, while also addressing him as a clown.
“This is when one gets clowns running around as owners who think they know better. It’s just not done period. Shameful is all I can say. If only the team was owned by Harsh Goenka, a true cricket lover and supporter of the game since decades,” he wrote on Instagram.
‘Clowns running around as owners’
Goenka’s post-game conduct has been a widely discussed saga in the IPL circles. Last season, the LSG owner and then captain KL Rahul had an animated chat on the sidelines. That eventually led to the franchise releasing him into the mega auction.
Goenka claimed that LSG wanted ‘players wanting to win’ and ‘not play for personal milestones’. While Rahul, who plays for DC, felt that he need more love and respect from his franchise.
The focus now shifts to Rishabh Pant, whom the LSG bought for an auction record of Rs 27 crore. It hasn’t been smooth sailing for the franchise this season, with Goenka also at odds with Pant post-game.
‘I believe in Rishabh Pant’
Despite their animated discussions, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka has thrown his weight behind his under-fire captain. Despite Pant’s indifferent form, Goenka maintained that he had no doubts about their record buy’s ability to lead the side and get the team firing in IPL 2025.
“I’ve said this before, and I have no hesitation in saying it again: I believe he’s a great leader. His best leadership is yet to come. So, 27 is the number we got him at. If it had meant 28, that would have been the number, ” Goenka was quoted as saying at a recent interaction.
LSG are 6th in the IPL 2025 points table, with 2 wins and as many defeats in their four games so far.
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