Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka took to social media to react to his side’s six-wicket loss against Delhi Capitals in their opening match of IPL 2026. Lucknow Super Giants were completely outplayed as they were bundled out for 141. In reply, Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi guided DC to victory with more than two overs to spare. Following the loss, videos and pictures emerged of Goenka having an animated chat with Pant and head coach Justin Langer on the ground. However, Goenka expressed ‘full confidence’ in Pant and said that the team will come back stronger.
“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 today; we will come back stronger. The story of @LucknowIPL this season is far from written,” Goenka wrote on X.
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 today, we will come back stronger. The story of @LucknowIPL this… pic.twitter.com/iQvN8u4g1d
— Dr. Sanjiv Goenka (@DrSanjivGoenka) April 1, 2026
Meanwhile, Pant promoted himself up the order in Lucknow Super Giants opening defeat to Delhi Capitals but the skipper isn’t sure whether he would be facing the new ball through out the entire course of Indian Premier League this season.
Pant (7) was run-out at non-striker’s end after Mukesh Kumar of DC deflected a straight hit from Mitchell Marsh but the data indicates that the flamboyant left-hander has been at his best when he has opened the innings.
In 23 games that he has opened across all T20s, his strike-rate has been 159 with a century and five fifties.
“It’s a 50-50 call,” Pant said when asked if he would continue opening throughout instead of the crack pair of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh.
Asked about his run-out, Pant said: “The best way to recover is to ignore the run-out. You can’t control something like that, but thinking about it puts you under pressure.” He also conceded that he was forced to bring in all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed as an Impact Sub after a batting collapse which effectively ended a chance to play a specialist spinner in Digvesh Rathi.
“We didn’t secure a partnership, so we had to use the option as an impact sub because we were a few runs short.” He also defended the move to send Ayush Badoni ahead of Nicholas Pooran.
“The idea was simple – he would take charge in the middle overs since I opened (on Pooran battng at 5). We had a role defined for Badoni, when we lose early wickets, that’s the time he can make a mark.
“There was enough with the new ball, but you can’t put the opposition under pressure. But the way the boys bowled, that’s a positive,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)