Rishabh Pant's special mention for Sanjiv Goenka amid LSG's poor IPL 2026; makes 200% promise ‘to bring happiness back’

Rishabh Pant had no second-thought in admitting Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) didn't play to their potential in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Studded with some of the biggest names in world cricket, LSG have been able to win just two of their eight games (before MI vs LSG clash) and are languishing at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table.

LSG had a good if not great run in their first two seasons, qualifying for the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 seasons of IPL. However, things took a different turn there on as the Sanjiv Goenka-owned side finished seventh in 2024 and 2025. Pant admitted that LSG's poor show had affected Goenka - one of the passionate owners in the IPL.

“It's been a tough season for us, and there is no running away from that, but one person for us who has had the most difficult time is our owner, Mr Goenka; he's one of those guys. Everyone knows how passionate he is about cricket and about his team,” Pant said after losing the coin toss to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.

The LSG skipper also vowed to give their 200% from here on and do whatever they can to bring back the smile on Goenka's face and the fans. “But at the same time we let down our fans down. The only promise is from this break is, we're gonna give our 200%, try to bring that happiness back and hopefully we can do it for our owner and the fans for sure,” he added.

More to follow…