Sanjiv Goenka’s smiling chat with Rishabh Pant after LSG loss sparks fan frenzy; ‘forced smile?’ debate erupts

Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen having another meeting with captain Rishabh Pant on the ground after the franchise suffered an embarrassing 40-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. But there was a difference this time. Unlike his usual serious outlook during his meeting with LSG captains, which has made Goenka infamous, this time the franchise owner sported a wide smile on his face while meeting Pant.

Was it a forced smile? It's impossible to say, but while Goenka tried to highlight his soft side, it's difficult to imagine that he wasn't disappointed with how LSG performed against RR at their home stadium.

LSG is ninth in IPL points table

Lucknow Super Giants had an opportunity to climb at least up to the seventh place in the IPL 2026 points table, but they remain stranded on ninth with four points after their fifth defeat of the season at the halfway mark. Only the Kolkata Knight Riders are worse than them with three points in their kitty.

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Goenka has more reasons to be angry as LSG made a blistering start to the match, bowling first. Mohammed Shami took two wickets in the powerplay, while Mohsin Khan removed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi cheaply to restrict RR to just 159/6.

But LSG faltered big time in the chase as opener Ayush Badoni and skipper Rishabh Pant went out for a duck. Mitchell Marsh with 55, Nicholas Pooran (22) and Himmat Singh (15) were the only three batters who put up some fight as LSG were bowled out for a poor 119.

Pant found it difficult to explain the inexplicable collapse as he struggled for the right words after the match.

"I think it is difficult to explain. Like it's definitely our batting is letting us down, but at the same time, we are disappointed as a team, as a group, but at the same time, you've got to keep finding ways," he told the broadcasters.

Goenka meets Pant again after LSG lose to RR

Later, LSG captain Pant was seen having a chat with owner Goenka, who had previously courted controversy for 'rebuking' former captain KL Rahul on the pitch and having a similar meeting with Pant earlier this season.

This time, however, things were different as Goenka had a big smile on his face and he gave Pant a warm hug, underlining his support for the captain.

But social media users had a different take on the meeting as they claimed Goenka was unable to express his real feelings due to past controversies.

"Nice farewell for Rishabh Pant by Sanjiv Goenka," a fan wrote on X while sharing the picture of the meeting between Goenka and Pant.

Another fan said: "Sanjiv goenka to rishabh pant: give me my money back."

Here are some more reactions

LSG will be back in action on Sunday as they host KKR at the Ekana Stadium.