Sanjiv Goenka's IPL Encounter: A Hilarious Fan Moment Amidst LSG's Defeat

In a light-hearted moment during the IPL 2026 match, Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka was humorously thanked by a Punjab Kings fan for acquiring Rishabh Pant. The match saw Punjab Kings secure a 54-run victory, extending their unbeaten streak. The fan's sarcastic remarks about Pant's captaincy sparked laughter and highlighted the competitive spirit of the IPL. As LSG struggles in the current season, the fan's comments reflect the ongoing rivalry and excitement surrounding the tournament. Read on to explore the details of this amusing encounter and the match's outcome.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 21, 2026, 13:37 IST

A Memorable IPL Clash

During the IPL 2026 match on April 19, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka found himself in a comical situation when a fan from Punjab Kings (PBKS) made a witty remark about Rishabh Pant. The game took place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in Mullanpur.

Punjab Kings, captained by Shreyas Iyer, maintained their unbeaten streak, defeating LSG by 54 runs. They set a formidable score of 254/7, bolstered by impressive performances from Priyansh Arya (93) and Cooper Connolly (87). LSG struggled to chase down the target, finishing at 200/5 despite notable contributions from their players.

A Fan's Sarcastic Gratitude

Sanjiv Goenka was present in the corporate box, enjoying the match when a PBKS supporter humorously expressed gratitude towards him. In a viral video, the fan thanked Goenka for acquiring Rishabh Pant, jokingly relieved that he did not end up leading the Punjab team.

The fan exclaimed, "Goenka sahab, thank you for taking Pant - paaji, many, many thanks! Thank God he didn’t end up captaining our Punjab team!" He further added, "Paaji, even if you have to pay 32 crores, please don’t let Pant go, keep him with you!"

The Auction Backstory

At the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, a fierce bidding war ensued among Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals for Rishabh Pant. Ultimately, LSG secured him for INR 27 crore after a competitive auction process.

Pant entered the auction with a base price of INR 2 crore after being released by Delhi Capitals, quickly becoming a highly sought-after player.

Why the Fan's Remark?

Despite LSG winning the bid for Pant, PBKS fans took the opportunity to poke fun at him, especially after their team's strong performance against LSG. Following the auction, Pant had mentioned his concern about being picked by Punjab Kings due to their substantial budget, a comment that resurfaced after LSG's defeat.

Rishabh Pant's performance against PBKS in previous IPL seasons has been underwhelming, with an average of 16 and a strike rate of 125.

Current Standings

Under Pant's captaincy, LSG struggled last season, finishing seventh with six wins and eight losses. In IPL 2026, they currently sit ninth with two wins and four losses, holding a net run rate of -1.173.

Conversely, Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, reached the IPL final for the first time since 2024, finishing as table toppers with nine wins, three losses, and one no result, totaling 19 points.