“Joker and Clueless”: Lalit Modi’s fiery attack on Sanjiv Goenka for his Jay Shah remark after RR–RCB mega sale

A massive drama has broken out on social media after Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru were sold for unbelievable amounts. The IPL founder Lalit Modi publicly blasted Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka for his “Jay Shah” remark.

The Rajasthan Royals went for USD 1.63 billion (around ₹15,286 crore), while the Royal Challengers Bengaluru sold out for a massive USD 1.78 billion (around ₹16,706 crore). This is the first time in IPL history that two teams have crossed the billion-dollar mark in the same week.

Sanjiv Goenka’s remarks on RCB-RR deal triggers Lalit Modi’s outburst

Following the historic deals, Sanjiv Goenka praised Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary and current ICC chairman, for the massive growth of the IPL, especially highlighting the ₹48,390 crore media rights deal for 2023–27, signed with Viacom18 and Disney Star.

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The LSG owner has pointed out how two teams bought for just a few hundred crores in 2008 have now been sold for over ₹15,000 crore each. He clearly felt the league’s rise was mainly due to the current administration and Jay Shah’s vision.

Goenka posted on X: "@rajasthanroyals," acquired for roughly ₹270 crore in 2008, have just been sold for over ₹15,000 crore. @RCBTweets, acquired for roughly ₹485 crore, sold for over ₹16,600 crore. Two franchises, same week, each over ₹15,000 crore. That value was built by the architecture of the IPL. The way broadcast and digital rights were structured. The governance that gave brands confidence to invest at premium levels. Much of this traces back to the vision of @JayShah.”

Sanjiv Goenka is a joker: Lalit Modi

But this did not go well with Lalit Modi, who actually created the IPL, designed its financial model, and ran the league in its early years as the chairman. Modi accused Sanjiv Goenka of ignoring the real architect behind the IPL’s success. He mocked the LSG owner and questioned his memory, and even called him "Joker."

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Replying to Goenka’s post on X, Modi wrote, “Seriously, this guy really has a memory loss of who conceived the model. That's ok. He just lives in his own world. We all know that. 🤣🤣🤣 @DrSanjivGoenka is a 🤡; wish it was his brother @hvgoenka who owned the IPL franchise. He is a true cricket fan. Not this clown, who thinks his tweet will change history. Just proves he has zero knowledge. Just a swelled-up head.”

Seriously this guy really has a memory loss of who conceived the model. Thats ok. He just lives in his own world. We all know that 🤣🤣🤣 @DrSanjivGoenka is a 🤡
wish it was his brother @hvgoenka who owned the ipl franchise. He is a true cricket fan. Not this clown - who thinks… https://t.co/m8eBdAOHHX

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) March 26, 2026

Lalit Modi slams Sanjiv Goenka over ‘Elephant Logo’ controversy

Modi didn’t stop there. In another fiery post, he also targeted Goenka for the elephant logo added to the Manchester Super Giants team in England’s The Hundred tournament. The logo has already been criticized in the UK, and Modi used this chance to take another shot at Goenka.

He called the branding decision clueless and poorly thought out. Modi reacted to a user’s post: “It’s because a 🤡 who has no idea about anything decided to call it that, @DrSanjivGoenka. What else can you expect from jokers.”

It’s because a 🤡 who has no idea about anything decided to call it that @DrSanjivGoenka What else can you expect from jokers https://t.co/qr0mCjKY42

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) March 26, 2026

Goenka has not yet reacted to Modi’s rant on social media ahead of the IPL 2026, starting on March 28 with RCB taking on SRH in Bengaluru.