Sanjiv Goenka-owned Lucknow Super Giants and Rishabh Pant endured a tough night at Ekana Cricket Stadium after a heavy six-wicket loss against Delhi Capitals in their opening IPL 2026 game on Wednesday, April 1. After the game, fans were intrigued by Sanjiv Goenka's animated discussion with Rishabh Pant and Justin Langer, which reminded a few of the similar interaction between the LSG owner and former franchise captain KL Rahul during IPL 2024.

LSG bought Rishabh Pant for a record INR 27 crore in the IPL 2025 auction and made his a new face of the franchise. But since then, the wicketkeeper-batter has struggled to make an impact with the bat and has also failed to impress with his leadership.

After a disastrous 2025 campaign, LSG were hoping for a fresh start in 2026, but KL Rahul's Delhi Capitals had another plan for them. Pant opened an innings with Mitchell Marsh, but this gamble cost both the player and Lucknow dearly.

Sanjiv Goenka was in the stands and looked visibly upset after his team's defeat at home. After the game, the chairman of RPSG Group entered the ground and was seen discussing something with Rishabh Pant and the team's head coach, Justin Langer. Fans were quick to notice Pant's serious expression and took to social media to share their thoughts.

One user on X compared LSG owner's chat with Rishabh Pant to Goenka's discussion with KL Rahul during the IPL 2024.

"Rishabh Pant like KL Rahul should leave LSG," a fan wrote on X. "They are our elite Athletes, who represent our country at the International level and have won us many laurels. Personal wish is that Goenka's LSG should not win an IPL title as long as possible."

Another fan pointed out Sanjiv Goenka's treatment of Rishabh Pant, writing:

"Sanjeev Goenka is a kicker and will not give up his habit. He is trying to do the same to Rishabh Pant as he did to KL Rahul."

One fan criticised Sanjiv Goenka for confronting his captain publicly, saying:

"Few things never change. I think Mr. Goenka must learn that his teams captains are not his servants. You can discuss about the game in closed doors not in front of 40+ cameras."

Meanwhile, after the dust settled, Sanjiv Goenka also took to social media to share his thoughts on LSG's defeat on Wednesday.

Sanjiv Goenka backs LSG for stronger comeback

Sanjiv Goenka backed Lucknow Super Giants to come back stronger after the game. The LSG owner also put faith in Rishabh Pant, saying he has full confidence in the team captain to respond with strength.

"This is a long season, and moments like these are part of building something meaningful," Goenka wrote on X. "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 Lucknow Super Giants this season is far from written."

Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants will look to register their first win this season when they next play Sunrisers Hyderabad away on April 5.

Also read: Rishabh Pant unsure about opening role despite strong record: ‘It’s a 50-50 call’