Sanjiv Goenka Urges Lucknow Super Giants to Bounce Back After Loss

NEW DELHI — In the wake of an eight-wicket defeat against the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka offered words of encouragement to his players, urging them to regroup for future matches.

The match, held on Wednesday, was marked by LSG’s struggle to build a substantial total. Despite strong batting performances from Nicholas Pooran (44 runs) and Ayush Badoni (41 runs), the team ended their innings at 171 for 7.

Goenka acknowledged the team’s disappointment and emphasized the need for a fresh mindset. ‘Say, this evening, you are entitled to your disappointment. Tomorrow morning, wake up fresh and think about the next week. You have a great team; believe in yourself,’ he told the squad.

During the game, LSG faced significant challenges early in their innings, losing both Mitchell Marsh, who was dismissed for a golden duck, and Shreyas Iyer, who managed only two runs. The situation looked dire until Pooran and Badoni forged a 65-run partnership that provided a temporary lift to the innings.

Even with late contributions from David Miller (19) and Abdul Samad (27), LSG could not reach a competitive score. The Punjab Kings bowlers, led by veteran Kagiso Rabada who took 3 wickets for 43 runs, maintained a vice grip on the match.

Punjab Kings made the chase look easy, with Prabhsimran Singh‘s explosive 69 runs off just 34 balls powering the team’s performance. He was joined by Shreyas Iyer, who scored an unbeaten 52, and together they dismantled LSG’s bowling attack.

Nehal Wadhera added the finishing touches with a steady 43 not out. The Kings successfully reached their target in just 16.2 overs, cementing their second spot in the IPL standings.

Despite the setback, Goenka’s unwavering support signals potential for a turnaround in the coming matches. LSG will seek to rally together as they prepare for their next game scheduled for Friday.