IPL 2026 | 'Would have banned Sanjiv Goenka if I was chairman'; Lalit Modi on LSG chief's 'fury' at Pant

Reports of an animated conversation between Sanjiv Goenka and LSG skipper Rishabh Pant had surfaced on social media.

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi has taken a dig at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka for the latter's reportedly animated exchange with skipper Rishabh Pant following the franchise's loss to Delhi Capitals in Match 5 of the tournament in Lucknow on Wednesday (April 1).

It may be recalled that reports of a heated exchange between Goenka and Pant had surfaced on social media. Though visuals did not have a proper audio and while what transpired between the duo was not clear, rumour mills spread the theory that Goenka was having a go at Pant.

"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. He is a complete pompous clown. There is a clause in the franchise agreement for this exact issue. #BCCI implement it-keep integrity above all. Sucking up to the powers that be is not the way to allow him to get away. Fans and players alike will remember," Modi posted on X.

In fact his post was kind of a response to ex England captain Michael Vaughan's comments which read, " 1 game into the Tournament .. No need for this," which was an apparent dig at Goenka's behavior.

LSG did try to do a damage-control exercise by putting out a fresh angle of the video showing the conversation between Pant and Modi. saying, 'Not everything you see is the true story. Here's the unfiltered post-match vibes, when cameras don't cut."

Goenka had previously courted trouble in 2024 when he had vented his ire at the then LSG skipper K L Rahul following a crushing 10-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

That incident was widely seen as a dressing-down of the captain, causing massive fan outrage and contributing to Rahul's exit later from the team.

LSG's next match in IPL 2026 is against the SRH on April 5.