In a season that is fast becoming a survival test for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the Ekana Stadium witnessed a night of high drama and low scoring. The 32nd match of IPL 2026 on Wednesday, saw the dominant Rajasthan Royals (RR) comfortably defend a modest total, handing LSG their fourth consecutive defeat. While the scoreboard told a story of a struggling middle order, the cameras captured a poignant moment of leadership and empathy that has since gone viral.
Sanjiv Goenka’s heartfelt moment with Rishabh Pant following LSG’s 4th straight loss in IPL 2026
The optics of the Lucknow Super Giants ownership have often been under the microscope, but the scenes following the 40-run loss to Rajasthan provided a refreshing narrative. As the dejected LSG skipper, Rishabh Pant, made his way off the field after a disappointing three-ball duck, owner Sanjiv Goenka was seen approaching him.
Unlike the heated exchanges often speculated upon in high-pressure leagues, Goenka was seen offering a comforting hand on Pant’s shoulder, engaging in a long, quiet conversation. With LSG now languishing at number 9 on the points table, the pressure on Pant, who has struggled to find his signature rhythm this season, is immense. This gesture of solidarity suggests a unified front within the management, even as the team’s playoff hopes begin to flicker. The viral clip of the duo has sparked widespread conversation among fans, highlighting a ‘human-first’ approach in the cutthroat environment of the 2026 season.
Here’s the video:
🔴SUCH A NICE GESTURE BY SANJIV GOENKA 👏
After LSG’s defeat, Sanjiv Goenka personally checked Rishabh Pant’s injury and hugged him 🥹😭
BEST OWNER OF IPL HISTORY !❤️ pic.twitter.com/d54N3VXO5Y
— Sam (@Cricsam01) April 23, 2026
RR pull off a dominant win over LSG in a nail-biting low-score game
On a surface that gripped and turned, the Rajasthan Royals proved why they are currently ranked 2 in the standings. Batting first, RR found themselves in immediate trouble as Mohammed Shami (3/30) and Mohsin Khan (2/17) dismantled the top order. At one stage, RR were reeling at 32/3 within the first four overs.
However, the depth of the Royals’ lineup shone through. Ravindra Jadeja, the eventual Player of the Match, played a quintessential anchor turned aggressor knock, finishing unbeaten on 43 off 29 balls. Supported by brief cameos from Riyan Parag (20) and impact sub-Shubham Dubey (19), RR managed to scrap their way to 159/6, a total that looked 15 runs short but proved to be more than enough.
The LSG chase was a calamity from the start. Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer exploited the new ball with lethal precision. Ayush Badoni fell for a diamond duck, followed immediately by Rishabh Pant (0) and Aiden Markram (0). At 11/3, the game was effectively over.
Despite a fighting 55 from Mitchell Marsh, LSG lacked a secondary partner to navigate the spin of Ravi Bishnoi and the pace of Archer. The home side was eventually bundled out for 119 in 18 overs, sealing a 40-run victory for Rajasthan and leaving Lucknow searching for answers before their campaign slips away entirely.
