KKR vs MI: "Shah Rukh Khan never interfered.."- Sanjiv Goenka thrashed by Gautam Gambhir

As Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka is facing the heat for giving KL Rahul a dressing down on the field, Gautam Gambhir has seemingly taken an indirect dig at him.

Goenka raised several eyebrows with his animated conversation with Rahul following LSG's heavy 10-wicket loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this week. After SRH chased down 166 runs in just 9.4 overs to deal a huge blow to LSG's playoff hopes, Goenka confronted Rahul as well as head coach Justin Langer on the field and was seen scolding them.

Also Read: DC vs LSG: Revealed: What was the talk between Sanju Goenka and KL Rahul all about?

Goenka was visibly upset with the heavy loss and was seen venting his frustration over the same. The LSG owner's action has not gone down well with many and he has been facing criticism from several quarters. Amidst all these, Gautam Gambhir has taken an indirect dig at him by calling Shah Rukh Khan the best franchise owner he has worked with.

Gautam Gambhir takes a dig at Sanjiv Goenka:

Gautam Gambhir plied his trade as a mentor for LSG in the last two editions of the IPL. During his time as a mentor, LSG qualified for the playoffs in both seasons. However, Gautam Gambhir surprisingly decided to part ways with the franchise even after the impressive campaigns and joined Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2024.

Having worked with both Goenka and Shah Rukh, the former India batsman called the latter the best owner he has worked with. Speaking to Sportskeeda, the former Kolkata Knight Riders skipper highlighted that Shah Rukh never interferes in cricketing matters and gives him the freedom as well as backing to take any decision.

"I have a fabulous relationship with him. For me, he is the best owner I have worked with. And the reason is not just that he is humble, he is pretty grounded," said Gautam Gambhir.

"I don't think he has ever interfered in cricketing matters and it is a very big thing for someone like me because you get the freedom of decision-making. You have the freedom and trust that whatever decision I take, I know he's going to back me.

"And more importantly, that's why we have got the results as well. My relationship with him is fantastic and not just now but since I first joined KKR in 2011. 

"But again as you said, SRK is an emotion, I think KKR is an emotion for me as well. That's why I feel that when any relationship starts on trust, that trust then goes a long way.

"It's the trust between us because I know he will never involve himself in cricketing matters and he knows that any decision I take will be in the best interests of the team and not for anything else," he added.

Gambhir led Kolkata Knight Riders from 2011 to 2017 and enjoyed a highly successful stint as a captain. Under him, the Knight Riders won their first title in 2012 and went on to clinch the title in 2014 as well. In the current season, they are doing well once again and are currently at the top of the points table with eight wins from 11 games.