After Lucknow’s crushing loss to Punjab Kings, LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen warmly greeting Shreyas Iyer while holding a visibly intense post-match chat with under-fire captain Rishabh Pant.
April 2, 2025: In a dramatic finish to Match 13 of IPL 2025, Punjab Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 8 wickets, but the real drama unfolded after the final ball at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
While PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer walked away with another match-winning knock (52* off 30), all eyes were on LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, who first embraced Iyer in a warm hug followed by an extended conversation. The moment instantly set social media abuzz, with fans speculating whether Goenka might be laying early groundwork to bring Iyer to LSG in the future.
Moments later, Goenka had a visibly intense conversation with LSG captain Rishabh Pant, pointing fingers and engaging in animated expressions. This scene reminded fans of the controversial KL Rahul-Goenka spat from IPL 2023 and has once again sparked transfer speculation and pressure chatter around Lucknow’s high-profile ₹27 crore signing.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant Reflects on LSG’s Home Defeat: “We Were 20-25 Runs Short”
💬 Pant’s Performance Under Scanner
Pant, who has scored just 17 runs in 3 matches, continued his cold streak with the bat, managing only 2 runs off 5 balls on Tuesday. In contrast, Iyer—bought for ₹26.75 crore—has led from the front with 149 runs in two innings, remaining unbeaten in both.
During the post-match presentation, Pant admitted:
“We were 20-25 runs short… It’s always difficult when you lose early wickets. We’re still learning about our home conditions.”
🔥 Social Media Reacts
- “Sanjiv Goenka hugging Iyer and then schooling Pant? Woah. Is a transfer brewing already?!”
Goenka saab to Shreyas Iyer #LSGvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/Z2Q4miFMeF
— विक्रम 𝘬ꪊꪑꪖ𝘳 🦇 (@printf_meme) April 1, 2025
"Hum top 4 se girke CSK MI ke beech aa gaye."
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) April 1, 2025
"Captaincy dete time Aapne hi toh bola tha LSG ko CSK-MI ke paas le jana." pic.twitter.com/1Eu9W183LK
- “This is KL Rahul all over again. Goenka needs to back Pant or this will explode.”
Goenka be like: Gussa toh bahut aa rha h tujh pr, pr kya karu Public dkh rhi h !!#LSGvsPBKS #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/Dmg25fmMdj
— Cricket Adda (@Aslicricketer23) April 1, 2025
Sanjeev Goenka said to shreyas Iyer , we have 27 cr player but he is not able to perform, how can you do that ? 😡#Rishbahpant #ShreyasIyer pic.twitter.com/ihfkrFQCCe
— Cricket_In _blood (@HarshRa26520588) April 1, 2025
🧠 What’s Next?
With LSG now slipping to their second loss in three matches, their next challenge comes on Friday against Mumbai Indians, again at home. All eyes will be on both Pant’s captaincy and Goenka’s dugout demeanor.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have surged to second on the points table, riding high on Iyer’s form and a solid bowling unit that dismantled LSG early in the match.
🏷️ Tags:
Rishabh Pant, Sanjiv Goenka, Shreyas Iyer, LSG vs PBKS, IPL 2025, Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, IPL captaincy drama, Goenka Pant talk, KL Rahul Goenka, IPL transfer rumours, Rishabh Pant form, IPL controversies