Sanjiv Goenka Challenges Rishabh Pant: ‘Reaching Playoffs Isn’t Enough’ for LSG

Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka has delivered a clear mandate to new captain Rishabh Pant: the franchise must win the championship to earn true respect in the cricketing world.

Speaking to JioStar, Goenka emphasized that while the team has shown consistency since its inception, success in franchise cricket is ultimately measured by silverware.

“I think the true identity is still evolving. For any sports team, until you win, you don’t receive the same level of respect or affection that comes with lifting the trophy,” Goenka stated. “Yes, we’ve made the playoffs twice, but that’s clearly not good enough. You win some, you lose some, but we have to win our first trophy.”

Rebuilding the Squad for IPL 2025

Reflecting on the 2024 season, Goenka noted that LSG managed early momentum by winning four of their first six games, despite an injury crisis that sidelined key frontline bowlers. Recognizing this structural weakness, the LSG management aggressively targeted domestic bowlers during the mega auction to build a resilient attack.

The franchise spent a record-breaking ₹27 crore to acquire Pant, while securing seasoned international batters and fresh domestic prospects to balance the roster. Addressing past logical inconsistencies in media reports, Goenka clarified that acquiring international veterans alongside emerging talents represents the franchise’s strategy for the upcoming campaign.

• Indian Bowling Core: Added Avesh Khan and Akash Madhwal to support retained stars Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, and Mayank Yadav.
• International Experience: Drafted versatile all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram to provide aggressive top-order options.
• Emerging Talent: Secured uncapped players like Digvesh Rathi to add depth to the squad.

“We did realize that we lacked a strong bowling core, and we’ve consciously addressed that by building a domestic Indian bowling unit this time,” Goenka explained. “There are bold moves in acquiring the likes of Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh to strengthen our batting, alongside newcomers like Digvesh Rathi. We’re happy with what we have.”

Shift from Individual Brilliance to Team Performance

A primary objective for Pant’s leadership will be unifying the squad. Goenka observed that previous campaigns relied heavily on isolated individual performances rather than cohesive team efforts.

“This is a squad that has everything required,” Goenka added. “Now it’s about coming together and performing as a unit, rather than as individuals. Last year, there were too many individuals performing. This year, we want to perform as a team.”

Early Season Schedule

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed the opening phase of the IPL schedule. While defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders look to retain their title, LSG prepares for a challenging early run of fixtures to assert their dominance.

With a revamped roster and a direct challenge from ownership, Pant faces immediate pressure to translate LSG’s auction strategy into on-field execution. For comprehensive match coverage and statistical updates, fans can track the season via ESPNcricinfo.