IPL Founder Lalit Modi Calls LSG Owner Clown, Jay Shah Dragged Into Controversy

Lalit Modi, Sanjiv Goenka and Jay Shah (Source:AFP)

Just days before the start of the IPL 2026, a major controversy has erupted between the league's founder, Lalit Modi and Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka. The heated exchange comes at a time when the IPL is witnessing extraordinary financial growth, with franchise valuations reaching record-breaking levels.

The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to begin on March 28, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. While excitement around the tournament continues to grow, off-field drama has grabbed headlines.

RCB and RR's sale set the stage for controversy

The latest developments follow blockbuster franchise deals involving RCB and Rajasthan Royals. A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group, along with Blackstone and Times of India Group, acquired RCB for a staggering $1.78 billion. 

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals were sold for $1.63 billion to a consortium led by tech entrepreneur Kal Somani.

Sanjiv Goenka gives credit to Jay Shah for IPL’s structural evolution

Amid this financial boom, Sanjiv Goenka, LSG Owner, praised the league’s structural framework, particularly its media rights model. He credited Jay Shah for shaping the IPL’s growth and governance, highlighting how the system has enabled franchises to achieve such high valuations.

Also Read: How Much Will BCCI Earn From RCB And RR's Sale Before IPL 2026?

"@rajasthanroyals acquired for roughly ₹270 crore in 2008, have just been sold for over ₹15,000 crore. @RCBTweets, acquired for roughly ₹485 crore, sold for over ₹16,600 crore. Two franchises, same week, each over ₹15,000 crore." Sanjiv Goenka wrote on X.

“That value was built by the architecture of the IPL. The way broadcast and digital rights were structured. The governance that gave brands confidence to invest at premium levels. Much of this traces back to the vision of @JayShah,” he added.

Dr. Sanjiv Goenka

@DrSanjivGoenka

1/ @rajasthanroyals, acquired for roughly ₹270 crore in 2008, have just been sold for over ₹15,000 crore. @RCBTweets, acquired for roughly ₹485 crore, sold for over ₹16,600 crore. Two franchises, same week, each over ₹15,000 crore. That value was built by the architecture

Lalit Modi calls Sanjiv Goenka clown

However, Sanjiv Goenka's omission of Lalit Modi did not go unnoticed. Lalit Modi, who made and launched the IPL in 2008, reacted strongly on social media. In a sharply worded response, he criticised Sanjiv Goenka's understanding of the league’s origins and called him a ‘clown’.

Lalit Modi also suggested that Sanjiv Goenka lacked knowledge about the IPL’s foundation and expressed disappointment over the lack of recognition for his role in building the league from scratch.

“Seriously this guy really has a memory loss of who conceived the model. Thats ok. He just lives in his own world. We all know that @DrSanjivGoenka is a clown (emoji) wish it was his brother @hvgoenka who owned the ipl franchise. He is a true cricket fan. Not this clown - who thinks his tweet will change history. Just proves he has zero knowledge. Just swelled up head,” Lalit wrote on X.

Lalit Kumar Modi

@LalitKModi

Seriously this guy really has a memory loss of who conceived the model. Thats ok. He just lives in his own world. We all know that 🤣🤣🤣 @DrSanjivGoenka is a 🤡 wish it was his brother @hvgoenka who owned the ipl franchise. He is a true cricket fan. Not this clown - who thinks

LSG's IPL 2026 schedule

LSG, owned by Sanjiv Goenka, will begin their campaign against the Delhi Capitals on April 1 in IPL 2026. They will then face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 5.

In their third match, LSG will face Kolkata Knight Riders on April 9, followed by a match against Gujarat Titans on April 12, in the first phase of the schedule.

The BCCI has released only the initial fixtures, with the rest expected after election-related formalities are completed.

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