‘We have continued to speak’: Sanjiv Goenka opens up on Rishabh Pant after LSG exit

Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka has opened up about his relationship with Rishabh Pant and revealed that his communication with the wicketkeeper-batter did not end with Pant’s move back to Delhi Capitals.

Pant was traded to Delhi Capitals for Rs 15 crore ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League season, with LSG receiving India spinner Kuldeep Yadav in a deal valued at Rs 13.5 crore. The move came after Pant spent two seasons with the Lucknow franchise.

Goenka, speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, was asked about his final conversation with Pant before the player’s return to Delhi. However, the LSG owner made it clear that their last discussion was not limited to the trade itself.

“Our last conversation wasn’t just about the trade. We have continued to speak even after that,” Goenka said.

When asked what he told Pant as the player left LSG, Goenka said he wished him well and indicated that the two could meet again soon.

“Good luck to him and best wishes. We plan to have dinner one of these days,” he said.

Pant joined LSG at the 2025 mega auction for a record Rs 27 crore, becoming the most expensive player in IPL history at the time. He was also handed the captaincy after KL Rahul’s departure. However, LSG failed to reach the playoffs in either of Pant’s two seasons as captain.

Pant was relieved of the captaincy before the 2026 season concluded, reportedly at his own request, and his return to Delhi Capitals followed soon after.

His stint with LSG had been closely scrutinised, with the franchise unable to produce the consistency expected after making a record investment in the India star. Despite the disappointing team results, Pant remained an important figure in Indian cricket.

The 28-year-old recently featured in India’s Test series in Sri Lanka. India won the opening Test in Galle, while the second match in Colombo ended in a draw after Sri Lanka successfully batted through a lengthy period following India’s decision to enforce the follow-on.

During that series, Pant also added another major record to his name. He surpassed former India captain MS Dhoni to become India’s leading run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Test matches.

Pant has accumulated 2,534 runs in such Tests at an average of more than 41, moving ahead of Dhoni’s tally of 2,496. Farokh Engineer, with 1,209 runs, is third on the list, followed by Syed Kirmani with 1,109 and Kiran More with 901.

Pant has also climbed the Test cricket six-hitting charts, moving past Australia’s Adam Gilchrist to become the third-highest six-hitter in the format.

While his IPL future has taken a new turn with his return to Delhi Capitals, Goenka’s comments suggest that the relationship between the LSG owner and Pant remains cordial despite the franchise’s decision to part ways with its former captain.

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