Sanjiv Goenka Scolding Rishabh Pant, Justin Langer, Tom Moody. Image Credits: JioStar
After much hustle and bustle since the Rishabh Pant and Sanjiv Goenka incident, the owner of Lucknow Super Giants has finally broken his silence on being a ‘punching bag’ for every distasteful video regarding LSG that comes up on the internet.
Notably, Sanjiv Goenka has been the focal talking point of the team's losses because of his animated reactions on the field. From the KL Rahul controversy earlier in IPL 2024 to a viral video of Goenka scolding Rishabh Pant in IPL 2026, the controversial incidents caught attention.
Finally, the LSG owner has opened up, unveiling these unjust narratives that social media has been scrutinising.
The Rishabh Pant and Sanjiv Goenka Controversy in IPL 2026
During the LSG vs DC clash in the franchise's inaugural match for IPL 2026, after Lucknow suffered a defeat, Goenka was seen chatting animatedly with Rishabh Pant near the boundary line.
Some visuals even saw Goenka pointing fingers at Pant while the skipper was trying to explain himself. This raised a massive backlash on social media, with netizens pointing out Goenka's repeated behaviour with the team's skippers.
Later, however, an official video was released by the Lucknow Super Giants' social media handle that showed a clearer picture of what actually happened behind the scenes.
The official video showed Goenka and Pant actually sharing a hearty conversation rather than any animated or angry exchange on the field. Unfortunately, netizens interpreted it as a sham or a deliberate act staged later after the match to cover up Sanjiv Goenka's image.
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Goenka Spills The Beans On Pant, KL Rahul Controversy
In an exclusive interview with NDTV's CEO and Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal on ‘Walk the Talk’, Goenka has shared his side of the story while mincing no words against social media and the unjust narratives put up against him.
Addressing the recent chat with Pant after the LSG vs DC clash, Goenka shared that the interaction was far from scolding, as it was portrayed on camera.
"Look, with a player like Rishabh, there is never a 'daat' (scolding) situation. But on social media, even if Sanjiv Goenka moves his hands a certain way, it becomes breaking news. I've become a very convenient punching bag. If you run a headline saying 'Sanjiv Goenka scolds his player,' you get instant views," Goenka shared.
Goenka also bashed the perspective that the public forms from isolated moments broadcast on live television.
"People need to understand that one incident doesn't define a person. We make mistakes, we learn, and we ensure we don't repeat them. The dressing room is happy, and the environment is positive; these outside narratives aren't actual issues," the LSG owner added.
Speaking of the IPL 2026 incident where he was pointing at Pant, he also shared how his gestures have been repeatedly misinterpreted.
"It's funny how a simple gesture or hand movement outside the field becomes a national headline. I am naturally someone who speaks with a lot of hand movements, but seeing how things get misinterpreted, I am now literally learning to keep my hands behind my back while talking!" Goenka added.
Sanjiv Goenka Slams ‘Interference’ Questions
The LSG owner has often also been accused of interfering in technical cricketing matters, asking for accountability from captains; however, Goenka countered that these suggestions are illogical.
"How do I respond to critics who say I interfere? Honestly, for someone who has never played professional cricket, it would be foolish of me to tell my players how to play. I have a massive team of experts who handle the technical side of the game."
"Yes, I am passionate about the team. I want them to succeed and do well, but I don't understand the nuances of cricket the way an expert does. It would be completely out of place for me to give 'cricketing lessons' to professional athletes. My role is to support the team, not to coach them," Sanjiv Goenka asserted.
LSG Looking To Turn The Tables in IPL 2026
Nevertheless, Lucknow Super Giants have been in a hot-and-cold form. After their inaugural defeat against Delhi, they managed to get two back-to-back wins against SRH and KKR.
However, their last two appearances against Gujarat Titans and RCB ended in defeats, pushing them to seventh position on the points table. They will be facing Punjab Kings next on April 19 at New Chandigarh as they look to turn their fortunes around and qualify for the playoffs.
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