LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka and skipper Rishabh Pant reaffirm team bond with heartwarming post

Rishabh Pant, Sanjiv Goenka (Pic: AFP/@sanjivgoenka/X)

Putting to rest all speculation about a possible rift with captain Rishabh Pant, Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka shared a heartwarming picture with the skipper following the team's elimination from the IPL 2025 playoff race.

The image, posted after their defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, captured Goenka smiling alongside Pant, Akash Deep, and Shardul Thakur, signaling unity within the squad despite a tough end to their campaign.

Alongside the photo, Goenka posted a heartfelt message on social media platform X, reflecting on the team's journey through a challenging season. "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," he wrote.

Goenka also acknowledged the struggles the team faced in the latter part of the tournament, noting that while the second half did not go as planned, it offered important lessons for both players and management to take forward. He encouraged the squad to channel their energy and end the season with resilience and pride in the two remaining fixtures.

Lucknow's hopes of reaching the playoffs were dashed after their defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 19. Entering the final stretch of the league stage, LSG needed to win all three of their remaining matches to stay in contention for a top-four finish. However, their campaign faltered at the first hurdle as SRH outplayed them in all departments.

Despite a strong batting performance that saw LSG post a formidable 205 in the first innings, their bowlers were unable to defend the total. Abhishek Sharma led the Hyderabad chase with an explosive 59, while Heinrich Klaasen added a vital 47, steering SRH to victory with 10 balls to spare.

The result ended LSG's playoff ambitions, but the mood in the camp remained optimistic, as reflected in Goenka's public show of support and encouragement.

Lucknow will now look to finish their IPL 2025 campaign on a high. Their penultimate match is against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on May 22, followed by a final home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 27.