Sanjiv Goenka Responds to Rishabh Pant Controversy: “Social Media Got It Wrong”

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka has finally broken his silence on the recent controversy involving captain Rishabh Pant during IPL 2026.

A video showing Goenka having an animated conversation with Pant went viral on social media, with many users claiming that he was scolding the player.

However, Goenka has now clarified the situation and strongly denied these claims.

What Was the Controversy?

The incident took place after an IPL 2026 match when Sanjiv Goenka was seen speaking to Rishabh Pant on the field.

Clips of the conversation quickly spread online, and many fans assumed that Goenka was upset and scolding his captain.

This led to heavy criticism and comparisons with a similar incident involving KL Rahul in the past.

Goenka’s Clear Response

In an exclusive interview, Goenka explained that the situation was completely misunderstood.

“With a player like Rishabh Pant, there is never a scolding situation.”

He added that social media often exaggerates such moments to create headlines and gain attention.

According to him, even normal conversations are sometimes shown as controversies.

“I Have Become a Punching Bag”

Goenka admitted that he often becomes the target of online criticism whenever such incidents happen.

“I’ve become a convenient punching bag. If someone writes that I scolded a player, it instantly becomes big news.”

This shows his frustration with how narratives are created on social media platforms.

Misinterpretation of Body Language

Goenka also spoke about how his natural way of speaking is often misunderstood.

He said that he usually uses hand gestures while talking, but these gestures are sometimes seen as aggressive behaviour.

Because of this, he is now trying to change his communication style.

  • Uses hand gestures while speaking
  • Clips get edited and misinterpreted
  • Now trying to control body language

No Interference in Team Decisions

Another major allegation against Goenka has been about interfering in cricket-related decisions.

He clearly denied these claims and said that he does not involve himself in technical aspects of the game.

“I have never played professional cricket. It would be foolish for me to tell players how to play.”

He added that the team has experienced coaches and experts who handle all cricket-related matters.

Dressing Room Environment Is Positive

Goenka also addressed concerns about the team environment.

He assured fans that the dressing room atmosphere is healthy and there are no internal issues.

According to him, the controversies are mostly created outside the team.

Why Such Controversies Go Viral

In today’s digital era, even small moments can become big headlines.

Short video clips without full context often lead to misunderstandings.

This incident is another example of how quickly narratives can change based on limited information.

Conclusion

Sanjiv Goenka’s response has clarified that there was no issue between him and Rishabh Pant.

He has strongly denied the claims of scolding and blamed social media for misinterpreting the situation.

While controversies may continue to trend online, the reality inside the team appears to be much more stable and positive.