Lalit Modi slams Sanjiv Goenka after Rishabh Pant incident, calls out IPL owners for “chasing hype"
Published - 03 Apr 2026, 10:38 AM | Updated - 03 Apr 2026, 10:59 AM
Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi criticized Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka following a viral incident involving Rishabh Pant. Modi demanded less drama and much more professional class from franchise owners amid the debate regarding team culture in the tournament.
The Super Giants suffered a defeat against the 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 just after the first game of the tournament.
IPL Owners Are Busy Chasing Hype and Headlines - Lalit Modi Slams Sanjiv Goenka
Lalit Modi criticized Indian Premier League owners for publicly scolding their captains near the boundary ropes following tough team losses. He demanded that franchise owners show more respect and professionalism.
Modi compared international football leagues with the current IPL environment. He stated that cricket franchise owners are currently too focused on chasing instant hype rather than treating their professional players with the respect they deserve.
“While football league owners treat players with respect, long-term vision, and professionalism, IPL owners are often busy chasing hype and headlines, publicly berating captains right on the boundary after tough losses,” Lalit Modi wrote.
Also Read: Sanjiv Goenka engages in heated chat with LSG coaches after loss to DC
The Valuations Might Actually Make Even More Sense” - Lalit Modi
Lalit Modi further stated that franchise owners must prioritize building real fan cultures and sustainable sports models. He said that team owners should focus more on professional conduct rather than constantly chasing instant stardom through heavy financial investments.
“Long-term infrastructure over throwing money at instant stardom? Real fan-first culture with decent stadium experiences? Sustainable models with competitive balance and some professional conduct, less drama, more brand building? Who would’ve thought.”
Modi added that if these franchise owners adopted the patience seen in European football, their billion-dollar valuations would make much more sense to cricket fans around the world.
“But IPL already has the money, glamour, and eyeballs, with franchises hitting billion-dollar valuations. Imagine if owners adopted that football-level patience and class… the valuations might actually make even more sense. That’s my spicy reality check.”
The picture says it all at the sidelines of the @LucknowIPL @IPL game 🧐 pic.twitter.com/I7N1FBN31B
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) April 2, 2026
LSG Share Full Video to Clear Air After Rishabh Pant-Sanjiv Goenka Clip Goes Viral
The Lucknow Super Giants management quickly tried to dismiss any rumors regarding a rift between Sanjiv Goenka and Rishabh Pant. The franchise posted an uncut version of the viral video on social media. The new video showed Goenka and Pant laughing together.
“Not everything you see is the true story, here’s the unfiltered post-match vibes, when cameras don’t cut.”
Goenka also shared his personal thoughts regarding the match result on social media. He thanked the local fans for supporting Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium. The owner also expressed complete confidence in Rishabh Pant leading the team forward.
“This is a long season, and moments like these are part of building something meaningful. I have full confidence in our captain and the team to respond with strength. To our fans, thank you for your support at Ekana today, we will come back stronger.”
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Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...
