
Shivam Sharma
abplive|03-04-2026
Following the widespread controversy surrounding a seemingly "intense" on-field discussion between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka, captain Rishabh Pant, and head coach Justin Langer, the franchise has released a new video to set the record straight.
The original clip, which surfaced after LSG's disappointing six-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Ekana Stadium, showed the trio in an animated conversation.
Given Goenka's history of public exchanges with former captain KL Rahul in 2024, social media was quick to speculate that the owner was "publicly berating" new skipper Rishabh Pant.
To counter the narrative of friction, LSG shared a longer, "unfiltered" version of the interaction on their official social media handles. The franchise captioned the video, “Not everything you see is the true story, here's the unfiltered post-match vibes when the cameras don't cut.”
The full footage reveals a much more relaxed atmosphere. In the extended clip, Goenka is seen greeting Pant warmly, and the subsequent conversation - while animated - appears to be conducted in good humor rather than anger.
Not everything you see is the true story, here’s the unfiltered post match vibes, when cameras don’t cut. pic.twitter.com/EiPMWrmlkQ
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 2, 2026
The video below which went viral after which netizens called out Goenka for 'bullying' Pant.
🚨SANJIV GOENKA CLASH WITH RISHABH PANT🚨
— Sam (@Cricsam01) April 2, 2026
- Just look at Rishabh Pant’s face when Goenka questioned him just minutes after LSG’s loss to DC.🙄
This is not good for the IPL. This is not good for any Indian player.🤯
What’s your view on that?🤔pic.twitter.com/rLgylUsPsx
Adding further weight to the clarification, Sanjiv Goenka himself took to X (formerly Twitter) in the early hours of Thursday to express his unwavering support for the team.
Goenka wrote, "This is a long season, and moments like these are part of building something meaningful. I have full confidence in our captain and the team to respond with strength. To our fans, thank you for your support at Ekana today, we will come back stronger. The story of @LucknowIPL this season is far from written."
This is a long season, and moments like these are part of building something meaningful. I have full confidence in our captain and the team to respond with strength. To our fans, thank you for your support at Ekana today, we will come back stronger. The story of @LucknowIPL this… pic.twitter.com/iQvN8u4g1d
— Dr. Sanjiv Goenka (@DrSanjivGoenka) April 1, 2026
The backlash was intensified by a sharp critique from IPL founder Lalit Modi, who had earlier compared IPL owners to football club owners, suggesting the former often prioritize "drama" and "publicly berating captains" over professional conduct. However, the latest footage suggests that the interaction was a victim of selective editing and the high-pressure optics of the IPL.




