Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka recently shared that both he and the franchise’s new captain, Rishabh Pant, are often “misunderstood” individuals. The RPSG group chairman also mentioned that he doesn’t let the narratives created on social media bother him.
Pant, who was acquired for a whopping ₹27 crore at the IPL 2025 auction, became the highest-paid player in the tournament’s history. He was also named LSG’s captain for the upcoming season of the prestigious league.
In a conversation on the YouTube channel of former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, Goenka was asked how he handles the criticism directed at him as the owner of LSG.
“He (Pant) is often misunderstood, and I too, as an owner, face similar perceptions. It’s something we both have to deal with. There are times when you choose to address it, and there are times when you simply don’t want to. In the end, time will reveal what was right and what was wrong,” Goenka shared (12:30).
He continued, “A narrative gets shaped, someone has a PR behind it, and that’s fine. It might matter for a while, but in the grand scheme of things, it won’t really make a difference. So, don’t let it affect you too much.”
“To be honest, the decision to support Rishabh was made the moment we succeeded in the auction, and the reason is clear. Not many players show the kind of passion and hunger to win that I’ve seen in Rishabh. Before, I didn’t know him that well, but as I watched him play, certain aspects of his game and his body language really stood out to me,” he explained.
“What impressed me the most was his selflessness he consistently prioritizes the team over himself. That’s a rare quality, and I felt it was something truly valuable. And then, the way he bounced back after that near-fatal accident—his determination, discipline, and sheer willpower to return to form—it’s all evidence of the heart of a champion,” Goenka added.
Goenka expressed his confidence in Pant’s leadership, stating he envisions the wicketkeeper-batter leading the franchise for the next 10 to 12 years. While he acknowledged that the final decision lies elsewhere, Goenka shared his personal hope to see Pant captain the Indian national team in the future as well.