‘I just hate seeing it’: Ex-England skipper blasts Sanjiv Goenka-Rishabh Pant episode
Michael Vaughan has voiced concerns over Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka's public interactions with players post-match, warning it could destabilize the team. These visible discussions, particularly after a loss, fuel speculation and can create an unhealthy perception of internal discord. Vaughan stressed the need for clear leadership and consistent backing of player roles to maintain team balance.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has weighed in strongly on the growing scrutiny surrounding Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka, cautioning that repeated on-field interactions with players could disrupt the team’s internal balance. The debate intensified after Lucknow’s defeat to Delhi Capitals, where Goenka was seen in a visibly animated discussion with skipper Rishabh Pant. The visuals quickly went viral, drawing comparisons to the widely discussed fallout with KL Rahul during the 2024 season.
In an attempt to control the narrative, LSG later released what they described as an “unfiltered” clip of the interaction. However, the move did little to silence speculation, with some fans questioning the authenticity of the footage and suggesting it may not have been the original exchange. Reacting to the situation, Vaughan criticised the optics of such conversations taking place in public view immediately after matches, stressing that even harmless discussions can be misinterpreted.
“I’m intrigued by this franchise, I must admit. I look from quite far away, and I keep seeing things on social media, and I see the owner on the pitch with Rishabh, with Tom Moody, Justin Langer. I hate seeing that.
I just hate seeing it after one game on the pitch. You can have those conversations in private. And even if they’re nice conversations, I just don’t understand them because what you’re doing is leading people to suggest that other things are said in that group that maybe aren’t.