Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2025 journey is off to a rocky start. A series of public incidents and disappointing results have fueled concerns about internal stability within the team. Most recently, visuals of LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka engaging in a seemingly intense conversation with captain Rishabh Pant circulated widely on social media. These clips have triggered speculation regarding unrest in the dressing room.
Adding to the intrigue, a recent report suggests that LSG skipped sending a representative for the post-match presentation ceremony after their home defeat to Punjab Kings. As hosts, the franchise was expected to participate officially, yet they were notably absent—even though some senior officials, including Goenka, were spotted on the field at the end of the match at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium.
“Mr Goenka was on the field and there was no such arrangement at all,” an LSG official was quoted as saying, downplaying the situation. However, the same report also mentioned that Goenka’s name had been included in the guest list for the post-match event, which was subsequently cancelled.
“If that is the case, LSG should have sent one of their franchise officials for the post-match presentation?” another source commented, questioning the decision.
This isn’t the first time Goenka has found himself in the spotlight. During IPL 2024, he was seen having an animated exchange with then-captain KL Rahul after a heavy loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. In IPL 2025, similar scenes have unfolded again, this time with new skipper Rishabh Pant and head coach Justin Langer.
LSG have lost two of their opening three games, slipping down the table. After two strong seasons in 2022 and 2023, the team failed to make the playoffs in 2024, leading to KL Rahul’s exit and the high-profile signing of Pant for ₹27 crore. They now gear up to face Mumbai Indians in their next home fixture on Friday.
