Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi criticized Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Owner Sanjeev Goenka after a viral incident involving Rishabh Pant. Amid the ongoing debate over team culture in the tournament, Modi demanded less drama and more professionalism from the franchise owners.
The Super Giants suffered a defeat against Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Stadium on April 1. Television cameras captured an animated discussion between Goenka and Pant. The incident prompted fans and commentator Michael Vaughan to question the LSG owner right after the first game of the tournament.
IPL owners busy with publicity and headlines – Lalit Modi criticizes Sanjiv Goenka
Lalit Modi criticized Indian Premier League owners for publicly scolding their captains after their team’s tough defeat near the boundary line. He demanded that franchise owners show more respect and professionalism.
Modi compared the international football league with the current IPL environment. He said that cricket franchise owners are currently focused on getting immediate publicity rather than treating their professional players with the respect they deserve.
Lalit Modi wrote, “While Football League owners treat players with respect, long-term vision and professionalism, IPL owners are often busy chasing publicity and headlines, publicly scolding captains at the border after tough defeats.”
Also read: Sanjiv Goenka has heated exchange with LSG coaches after the loss to DC
“Evaluation may actually be more meaningful” – Lalit Modi
Lalit Modi further said that franchise owners should prioritize building genuine fan culture and sustainable sporting model. He said team owners should focus more on professional conduct rather than chasing instant stardom through huge financial investments.
“Long-term infrastructure versus spending money on instant stardom? Genuine fan-first culture with decent stadium experiences? Sustainable model with competitive balance and some professional conduct, less drama, more brand building? Who would have thought.”
Modi said if these franchise owners adopt the patience seen in European football, their billion-dollar valuations will mean a lot to cricket fans around the world.
“But the IPL already has the money, glamor and allure, with franchises touching billion-dollar valuations. Imagine if owners adopted football-level patience and class… the valuations could actually make even more sense. This is my spicy reality check.”
This picture on the shore says it all @LucknowIPL @IPL game pic.twitter.com/I7N1FBN31B
– Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) 2 April 2026
After Rishabh Pant-Sanjiv Goenka clip goes viral, LSG shares full video to clarify
Lucknow Super Giants management immediately tried to quash any rumors of rift between Sanjiv Goenka and Rishabh Pant. The franchise posted an uncut version of the viral video on social media. The new video shows Goenka and Pant laughing together.
“Not everything you see is the true story, here’s the unfiltered vibes from after the match, when the cameras don’t cut.”
Goenka also shared his personal views regarding the result of the match on social media. He thanked the local fans for supporting Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium. The owner also expressed full confidence in Rishabh Pant to take the team forward.
“It’s a long season, and moments like this are part of building something meaningful. I have full confidence in our captain and the team that they will respond with strength. To our fans, thank you for your support at Akana today, we will come back stronger.”
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