Sanjiv Goenka's tense exchange with Rishabh Pant after LSG lose to DC reeks of KL Rahul's infamous 2024 episode

Rishabh Pant and Justin Langer were engaged in an on-field conversation with team owner Sanjiv Goenka following their six-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals.

Updated on: Apr 2, 2026, 11:20:24 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant and head coach Justin Langer were seen in a discussion with team owner Sanjiv Goenka on the field after their six-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals on Wednesday. Playing at home, LSG endured a disappointing outing with the bat, getting bowled out for just 141. Key players failed to make an impact in their opening game, with Pant managing 7, Aiden Markram scoring 11, and Nicholas Pooran adding only 8. The loss marked a poor start to their campaign and raised early concerns in their batting department. The bowlers did try to put up some fight by taking early wickets, but Sameer Rizvi (70*) and Tristan Stubbs (39*) took the game away, and Delhi registered the win clinically with 2.5 overs to spare.

After the match, visuals of Sanjiv Goenka in conversation with Rishabh Pant were broadcast, (X Image)

After the match, visuals of Goenka in conversation with Pant were broadcast, though there was no audio available. The exchange appeared a bit intense from the footage, and clips and images of the discussion, with coach Langer also involved, quickly went viral online.

Earlier, Goenka had come under scrutiny a couple of years ago for a similar incident, though it involved KL Rahu l, then LSG skipper. The episode was widely viewed as a public fallout after a 2024 IPL match, when Goenka was seen having an animated on-field exchange with the captain following a defeat. Many compared the Rahul episode with Wednesday's exchange between Pant and Goenka on the field.

After Wednesday’s loss, Goenka acknowledged the result on X, striking a composed and optimistic note as he backed his team and captain while urging patience early in the season.

"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. The story of @LucknowIPL this season is far from written," he wrote on X.

Also Read - Rishabh Pant as opener isn't the answer: Why LSG must rethink their bold batting call

Rishabh Pant 50-50 on batting position

Meanwhile, Pant, who has largely batted in the middle order in recent seasons, pushed himself up to open for Lucknow Super Giants in their first game. However, the skipper remains undecided on whether he will continue in that role throughout the IPL. Pant managed just 7 before being run out at the non-striker’s end after Mukesh Kumar deflected a direct hit from Mitchell Marsh.

"It's a 50-50 call," Pant said after the match when asked if he would continue opening throughout instead of the crack pair of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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