Sanjiv Goenka, owner of Lucknow Super Giants, and Preity Zinta, the face of Punjab Kings, are among the IPL’s most recognisable franchise bosses. Both are regular visitors to their teams’ matches during the summer, and that was clearly on show when LSG and PBKS met at the PCA Stadium in Mullanpur on Sunday night. The occasion offered a rare opportunity for the owners to get close to the squads, speak with players, and soak up the atmosphere after an eventful contest.
Goenka, in particular, has become known for the on-field conversations he holds with his captains and senior players. He has previously drawn attention for his animated exchanges with KL Rahul and, more recently, with Rishabh Pant—reflecting a hands-on style that leaves little room for silence once the action gets going. Following LSG’s 54-run defeat on Sunday night, Goenka was seen talking with Priyansh Arya, the Player of the Match. Arya had dominated the first innings with an explosive 93 off 37 balls, effectively setting the tone for what would become a comfortable PBKS victory.
While Goenka engaged with the winning side’s star, Pant also appeared to be in conversation—this time with Preity Zinta. The Lucknow captain was part of a small group that included Yuzvendra Chahal and Shashank Singh, and Pant spent time speaking with the Punjab Kings owner, adding another layer to the evening’s off-field interactions even as the result swung heavily in PBKS’s favour.
PBKS dominate as LSG suffer another setback
Before the two teams even met, PBKS’s early-season momentum had already been one of the most eye-catching storylines in the tournament. Zinta’s franchise continued that strong run of form by collecting their fifth win in six matches without losing—moving back to the top of the table in the process. Against LSG, that confidence translated into a major total, built through a blend of ruthless batting and timely acceleration.
Arya’s destructive innings formed the backbone of PBKS’s innings, and he received valuable support from Cooper Connolly. The pressure only increased as the innings progressed, with Shashank Singh and Stoinis delivering a late surge that pushed the scoreboard into a commanding range. PBKS posted 254, a total that left LSG facing an uphill chase from the start.
For LSG, the chase never truly caught rhythm. Facing an opponent that was firing on all cylinders, they struggled to generate the kind of partnerships required to close the gap. The result was their third straight loss, a run that has sharply flipped the momentum of their season and underlined how much rebuilding will be needed behind the scenes now that winning looks harder to come by.
What Pant and LSG will take from the night
Rishabh Pant will also be looking for answers in his own batting form. The defeat left him with plenty to reflect on, including the type of impact PBKS’s Priyansh Arya produced at the crease. Arya—also a left-handed batter from Delhi—delivered a brand of aggressive hitting that has brought him more success than ever, with the ability to dismantle bowling attacks quickly. Pant, who will want to rediscover the most destructive version of his game, may see Arya’s approach as a template for the kind of power and timing he needs to consistently bring to the table.
