‘Would Have Banned Him’: Sanjiv Goenka Slammed by Former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi After Rishabh Pant Incident in LSG’s Loss to DC

Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka is once again in the spotlight for his on-field interaction with team captain Rishabh Pant as the Indian Premier League 2026 season just kicked off. Following LSG’s six-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals in their campaign opener at Ekana Stadium on Wednesday, Goenka was seen having an intense conversation with Pant. Given past incidents involving the franchise owner, fans were quick to assume that the discussion was heated and possibly added pressure on the skipper.

The visuals quickly went viral, sparking widespread debate on social media. One fan wrote:
“Just look at Rishabh Pant’s face when Goenka questioned him just minutes after LSG’s loss to DC. This is not good for the IPL. This is not good for any Indian player.”

🚨SANJIV GOENKA CLASH WITH RISHABH PANT🚨

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– Just look at Rishabh Pant’s face when Goenka questioned him just minutes after LSG’s loss to DC.🙄

This is not good for the IPL. This is not good for any Indian player.🤯

What’s your view on that?🤔#ipl_2026 pic.twitter.com/qY8ALLQ7GE

— Shruti Dhore (@ShrutiDhore) April 2, 2026

The incident drew reactions not just from fans but also from former England captain Michael Vaughan, who commented, “One game into the tournament, no need for this.”

The controversy escalated further when former IPL chairman Lalit Modi who is currently living in London in self-imposed exite since 2010 amid allegations of financial irregularities in India, strongly criticised Goenka and even called him a ‘joker’.

Lalit Modi Calls For Banning Sanjiv Goenka 

Responding to Vaughan’s post, Modi wrote on X, “I told you this guy @DrSanjivGoenka, owner of @LucknowIPL, is a complete loser and joker of the highest order. I am seriously embarrassed by his behaviour. I created the IPL for fans and players alike, not for this to happen every time, every year. If I was still chairman and commissioner, I would have banned him immediately and made him forfeit his ownership of the team forever.”

I told you this guy @DrSanjivGoenka owner of @LucknowIPL is a complete looser and joker of the highest order – i am seriously embarrassed with his behaviour. I created the @IPL for fans and players alike. Not for this to happen every time every year. If I was still Chairman and… https://t.co/5mHzg8RAY1

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) April 2, 2026

He further added that there is a clause in the franchise agreement that could allow such action, urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India to act, “Implement it, keep integrity above all. Sucking up to the powers that be is not the way to allow him to get away.”

Amid the ongoing backlash, an old podcast clip of Goenka with BeerBiceps has also resurfaced online. In the video, Goenka speaks about keeping emotions out of business and avoiding mixing personal relationships with professional decisions.

Also Read: PSL 2026: David Warner And Moeen Ali’s Fiery On-Field Clash Breaks The Internet – WATCH VIDEO

Modi did not hold back here either, reacting to the clip by saying, “Like I told you, he is not fit to own an IPL team—you can hear it from his own mouth. Owning a sports team is one of the greatest responsibilities globally. It’s not about profit. It’s not a machine. It’s not an engine. It’s something this clown does not understand.”

Like I told you. He is not fit to own an @IPL – you can hear it from his own mouth @DrSanjivGoenka – what else one needs to know. Owning a sports team @LucknowIPL is one the greatest responsibility globally for an owner. It’s not about profit. It’s not a machine. It’s not an…

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) April 2, 2026

LSG Share the ‘Truth, Unfiltered Post’ of Goenka and Rishabh Pant’s incident 

Meanwhile, the Lucknow Super Giants attempted to respond to the controversy by sharing a behind-the-scenes video. In the clip, Rishabh Pant and Sanjiv Goenka are not seen in an intense exchange as widely perceived. Instead, Goenka is shown hugging Pant and encouraging him despite the loss. 

Not everything you see is the true story, here’s the unfiltered post match vibes, when cameras don’t cut. pic.twitter.com/EiPMWrmlkQ

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) April 2, 2026

Sharing the video, the franchise wrote, “Not everything you see is the true story — here’s the unfiltered post-match vibes, when cameras don’t cut.”