Sanjiv Goenka Praises Prince Yadav, Ignores Rishabh Pant After India Snub

The Shifting Dynamics at Lucknow Super Giants

The relationship between a franchise owner and their captain is often the cornerstone of success in the Indian Premier League. However, for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), this dynamic has been under intense scrutiny throughout the IPL 2026 season. The latest development following the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announcement of the national squad for the Afghanistan series has only added fuel to the fire. While the selection of young talent is usually a moment of collective celebration, the contrasting reactions surrounding Rishabh Pant and Prince Yadav have highlighted a potential rift within the LSG ranks.

Rishabh Pant’s National Team Setback

The recent squad announcement by the BCCI brought unexpected news for Rishabh Pant. The explosive wicketkeeper-batter, who has been a mainstay in the Indian setup across formats, faced a major demotion. Pant was omitted from the One Day International (ODI) squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. Furthermore, his leadership credentials took a hit in the longest format of the game; he was removed from his role as vice-captain of the Test team, with the selectors opting to hand that responsibility to KL Rahul.

This double blow comes at a time when Pant’s captaincy at the franchise level is also under the microscope. Despite his stature in the game, the lack of consistency in the white-ball format appears to have forced the selectors to look in a different direction. While fans and analysts debated the merits of this decision, all eyes turned to Sanjiv Goenka to see how the LSG owner would support his marquee player.

Sanjiv Goenka’s Public Silence and the Viral Context

Interestingly, Sanjiv Goenka chose not to comment on Pant’s exclusion or his loss of the vice-captaincy. This silence is particularly noteworthy given the history between the two. Earlier in the 2026 season, a video went viral showing an animated and seemingly heated conversation between Goenka and Pant on the field. Although the LSG management later clarified that the moment was exaggerated by social media and did not reflect the true nature of their relationship, the optics remained a point of contention.

In previous interactions, Goenka had been vocal about his admiration for Pant, even going as far as to compare his leadership potential to legendary figures such as MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Gautam Gambhir. However, the lack of a public message of support during this difficult professional period for Pant has led to renewed speculation about the internal atmosphere at Lucknow Super Giants.

The Rise of Prince Yadav: A New Star in the LSG Galaxy

While the owner remained silent on his captain, he was effusive in his praise for another LSG player. Prince Yadav, the young right-arm pacer, earned his maiden call-up to the Indian ODI squad. His inclusion is a testament to a phenomenal breakout season in the IPL, where he has consistently outperformed more seasoned bowlers.

Taking to the social media platform X, Sanjiv Goenka shared his pride in the youngster’s achievement: “Delighted to see Prince Yadav earn his maiden ODI call-up for India. His rise this IPL season has been a joy to witness. He has the heart, the hunger, and the fearlessness to take on the best. This is just the beginning. Congratulations, Prince. I’m proud of you, and so is @LucknowIPL. Make India proud.”

Prince Yadav’s Statistical Dominance

Prince Yadav’s journey to the national side is a story of rapid transformation. After a difficult debut year in 2025, where he managed only three wickets in six matches with an economy rate nearing 10, he has emerged as a different beast in 2026. This season, he has claimed 16 wickets in 12 matches, proving to be a genuine wicket-taking threat in the middle and death overs. His performance highlights include:

• 16 wickets in 12 appearances.
• Multiple two-wicket spells providing crucial breakthroughs.
• Two impressive three-wicket hauls against top-tier batting lineups.
• Significant improvement in pace and accuracy.

With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for the upcoming series, the national selectors have clearly prioritized form and raw talent, allowing Yadav to leapfrog more experienced contenders based on his IPL exploits.

LSG’s Struggles Under Rishabh Pant’s Leadership

The contrast in Goenka’s reactions mirrors the contrasting fortunes of the players on the field. While Prince Yadav has been a silver lining, the Lucknow Super Giants as a whole are enduring their worst-ever IPL campaign. Under Rishabh Pant’s leadership, the team currently languishes at the bottom of the points table.

The statistics for LSG in the 2026 season are concerning for the management:

• Total matches played: 12
• Wins: 4
• Losses: 8
• Total points: 8

The team’s inability to find a winning combination has put Pant’s tactical decisions and personal form under immense pressure. As the franchise owner, Goenka’s shift in focus toward emerging stars like Prince Yadav suggests a potential recalibration of the team’s long-term strategy, especially as the current season nears its conclusion with LSG out of the playoff race. Whether this silence regarding Pant signals a deeper change in the franchise’s leadership hierarchy remains to be seen, but for now, the rise of Prince Yadav remains the sole bright spot for the Lucknow-based side.