Sanjiv Goenka Breaks Silence After LSG’s IPL 2025 Playoff Exit, Shares Heartfelt Message with Rishabh Pant
It’s been a challenging second half of the season, but there’s much to take heart in. The spirit, the effort, and the moments of excellence give us a lot to build on. Two games remain. Let’s play with pride and finish strong. #LSGvsSRH pic.twitter.com/gFzyddlnMn
— Dr. Sanjiv Goenka (@DrSanjivGoenka) May 20, 2025
Lucknow Super Giants’ hopes of making it to the IPL 2025 playoffs ended abruptly after their recent defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The loss extinguished their chances of finishing in the top four, leaving fans and the franchise disappointed. Amidst growing speculation about the team’s future, especially concerning captain Rishabh Pant, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka finally opened up with a sincere and encouraging message.
Goenka, who had high expectations following the acquisition of Pant for a record ₹27 crore at last year’s mega auction, acknowledged the tough second half of the season but highlighted the positives that can be drawn from the campaign. “It’s been a challenging second half of the season, but there’s much to take heart in. The spirit, the effort, and the moments of excellence give us a lot to build on,” Goenka wrote on social media. His post also featured a touching photo where he is seen resting his hands on Pant’s shoulders, surrounded by other team members — a symbol of unity and hope despite the setback.
Rishabh Pant, reflecting on the season, pointed to injuries in the bowling department as a major factor behind LSG’s struggles. “We knew we had gaps to fill because of injuries. As a team, we decided not to talk about it, but it became hard to close those gaps,” Pant explained. He added that if the bowling unit had been at full strength, the team’s fortunes might have been very different. Despite the difficulties, Pant remained proud of the team’s resilience and expressed optimism for the future.
The franchise boasts a strong batting lineup, including players like Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and David Miller. However, injuries and other challenges meant LSG couldn’t fully capitalize on this talent pool. Goenka’s message suggests that the team will analyze these lessons and come back stronger in the next season.
Though this season didn’t end as planned, the support from the owner and captain highlights the determination to rebuild and aim higher next year. Fans of LSG can hope for a more competitive comeback fueled by the spirit and effort Goenka praised.