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LSG Owner Sanjiv Goenka Backs Rishabh Pant After Tough IPL 2026 Start

Lucknow Super Giants began their IPL 2026 campaign with a six-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals at home. Franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka immediately took to social media to back captain Rishabh Pant and the team, stating the season's story is "far from written." LSG posted 141 runs, with Mitchell Marsh and Abdul Samad making key contributions, but Delhi's Sameer Rizvi steered the chase with an unbeaten 70. Despite early wickets from Mohd. Shami and Prince Yadav, DC secured victory with 17 balls to spare.

Key Points: LSG Owner Sanjiv Goenka Supports Rishabh Pant After IPL Loss

  • LSG lost opening match to DC by 6 wickets
  • Owner Sanjiv Goenka expresses confidence in team
  • Sameer Rizvi's unbeaten 70 guided DC to victory
  • LSG bowlers made early inroads but couldn't defend 142
2 min read

LSG's story this season is far from written: Sanjiv Goenka after team's loss to DC

Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka rallies behind captain Rishabh Pant after a season-opening loss to Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026.

"The story of @LucknowIPL this season is far from written. - Sanjiv Goenka"

New Delhi, April 2

After Lucknow Super Giants went down by six wickets against the Delhi Capitals in their opening IPL 2026 encounter, franchise owner Sanjiv Goenkar rallied behind the team and the captain Rishabh Pant to bounce back in style, saying the team's story this season is "far from written."

LSG were well below par with the bat, but their pacers tested DC with plenty of movement. A target of 142 was always going to be difficult to defend for the hosts, but DC rode Sameer Rizvi's unbeaten 70 to a six-wicket win to begin their IPL 2026 campaign.

"This is a long season, and moments like these are part of building something meaningful. I have full confidence in our captain and the team to respond with strength. To our fans, thank you for your support at Ekana, we will come back stronger. The story of @LucknowIPL this season is far from written," Goenka shared on X after the match.

Asked to bat first, LSG struggled to build momentum right from the onset. In a much-talked-about move, LSG captain Rishabh Pant opened the batting but suffered horrible luck, getting run out at the non-striker's end for 7 (9) on a straight drive. Key contributions from Mitchell Marsh (35 off 28 ) and Abdul Samad (36 off 25) ensured the scoreboard kept moving despite challenging conditions, with both batters finding timely boundaries to steady the innings. However, wickets at regular intervals meant the innings concluded at 141 in 18.4 overs.

Defending the total, LSG required early breakthroughs, and Mohd. Shami delivered an electrifying start on his franchise debut. Firing up the Lucknow crowd, Shami dismissed Delhi's newly acquired opener KL Rahul for a golden duck on the very first ball of the innings.

The momentum continued as young pacer Prince Yadav delivered an impressive spell, dismissing Pathum Nissanka and Axar Patel in the fifth over to leave the opposition reeling at 26/4.

While the bowlers maintained discipline and energy, Delhi Capitals gradually regained control in the latter half of the chase, with Sameer Rizvi guiding them home with an unbeaten 70, sealing the game in 17.1 overs.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
Respectfully, I have to disagree with the owner's optimism. 141 is not a defendable total in today's IPL, especially at Ekana. The batting order needs a serious rethink. Why is Pant opening? He's our best finisher. The story might be unwritten, but the first chapter was weak.
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Aryan P
Prince Yadav was the biggest positive! What a spell from the young lad. Bowled with so much heart. If the batting can just give them 160+, this bowling attack with Shami leading can win matches. Chin up, Lucknow!
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Sarah B
As a neutral fan, it was a cracking game! That first over from Shami was epic theatre. LSG's bowling looks sharp, but Rizvi's innings was a class act. IPL never disappoints!
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Karthik V
The problem is the middle order. Marsh and Samad got starts but couldn't convert. In IPL, 35s and 36s are not enough. Someone needs to play the anchor and get a 70 like Rizvi did. Hope they learn quickly.
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Meera T
Good to see the owner backing the team publicly. That matters a lot for team morale. Pant is a fighter, he will lead from the front next game. One loss doesn't define a season. On to the next one! 💪

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