Following the disappointing end to Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) IPL 2025 campaign, team owner Sanjiv Goenka broke his silence with a heartfelt social media post, sharing his thoughts on the season and his hopes for the future. The post included a powerful image featuring Goenka with LSG’s marquee signing Rishabh Pant, offering a moment of reflection and resilience after the team’s elimination from playoff contention.
LSG had entered the season with high expectations, especially after acquiring Indian star Rishabh Pant for a staggering ₹27 crore in the previous mega auction. Alongside Pant, the franchise had assembled an explosive batting lineup featuring Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Aiden Markram. However, despite the talent on paper, the team failed to secure a top-four finish, ending their playoff hopes after a crucial defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Goenka acknowledged the struggles the team faced but praised the players’ determination and fighting spirit:
“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” The accompanying image, which quickly gained attention on social media, showed Goenka standing with his hands on Rishabh Pant’s shoulders signifying both leadership and support. Other team members surrounded Pant in what looked like a team huddle or debrief after the match.
Pant Reflects on LSG's Campaign and Injuries
Rishabh Pant, speaking after the team’s final loss, pointed to the impact of injuries on the bowling unit as a significant setback for the franchise this season. According to the LSG skipper, the team was unable to compensate for key absences, despite internal efforts to stay focused. “We knew we had gaps to fill because of injuries. As a team we had decided not to talk about it. But it became tough to close the gaps. The way we planned the auction, if we would have had the same bowling, the story would have been different,” Pant said.
Despite the setbacks, Pant emphasized the positives and the pride the team takes in its performance: “Sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don't. We take pride in the way we played and will look at the positives.”
LSG still has two games left to conclude their season and fans can expect the team to fight hard in these final fixtures, aiming to end on a high note and carry momentum into the next year. As speculation swirls about future team changes and leadership strategies, Goenka’s post seems to suggest continuity and optimism. With a strong core in place and valuable lessons from a turbulent campaign, Lucknow Super Giants could come back stronger in IPL 2026.
