Former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi has strongly attacked Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka. Modi claimed that Rishabh Pant was stripped of captaincy, sparking a fresh controversy over the wicketkeeper-batsman’s decision to step down from the post after a disappointing IPL 2026 season.
The middle-order batsman recently stepped down from the captaincy of Lucknow Super Giants after two tough seasons with the franchise. Under his leadership, the Lucknow-based franchise suffered a poor campaign in IPL 2026, finishing at the bottom of the points table with just four wins from 14 league matches.
You forced him out – Lalit Modi targets Sanjeev Goenka on Rishabh Pant’s ouster
Lalit Modi criticized Sanjiv Goenka on social media and accused the Lucknow Super Giants owner of misbehaving with players and forcing Rishabh Pant to step down from captaincy.
“Told you so. @Dr.SanjivGoenka, I don’t want to go after you. But you make it impossible not to. People tell me how well connected you are. And you’re going to make my life miserable by exposing these things.”
“But if you continue to behave like a clown, I don’t really care who you know or not. I will continue to bury you. So either stop behaving like a tyrant and wake up. Or keep criticizing me.”
“I am not one to stop criticizing anyone who is detrimental to the IPL. I care about the fans and the players. Your spending billions is not my concern. So grow up and treat the players as players and not your personal property.”
“You had said that Rishabh Pant would be with you for 10 to 15 years. But you ousted him with your secret strategies and your PR machinery. Yes, I will say it again. You have been officially crowned IPL Meme King today.”
told you so. @DrSanjivGoenka don’t want to follow you. But you make it impossible. People tell me how well connected you are. And you will make my life miserable for pointing out these things. I wouldn’t really want to point you out. But if you keep behaving…
– Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) June 21, 2026
Rishabh Pant is struggling as captain and batsman in Lucknow Super Giants
Rishabh Pant joined Lucknow Supergiants with high expectations after being bought for Rs 27 crore. However, his captaincy tenure yielded disappointing results. Under his leadership, LSG won only 10 and lost 18 of their 28 matches, finishing with a winning percentage of 35.71.
Pant also struggled with the bat during his time in the franchise. He scored 269 runs in IPL 2025 at an average of 24.45. Although he improved to score 312 runs in IPL 2026, his total returns still fell short of expectations.
Lucknow Super Giants missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season, increasing the pressure on the team management. At the end of IPL 2026, Pant asked the franchise to relieve him of captaincy duties after a tough season for both him and the team.
Kuldeep Yadav likely to be included in Lucknow Supergiants
This claim has been made in a report of Times of India amid the captaincy controversy. Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals are discussing a possible trade for Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav. Before IPL 2027.
The Supergiants are keen to strengthen their spin attack. The franchise relied heavily on Digvesh Rathi as their main spinner in recent seasons, and the addition of an experienced bowler like Kuldeep Yadav will provide a boost to their bowling unit.
Kuldeep is currently with Delhi Capitals after being retained for ₹13.25 crore ahead of IPL 2026. Although the details of the proposed deal are unclear, this trade could have a big impact on both teams ahead of the next IPL season.