Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka drew praise for a quietly classy moment after their Indian Premier League win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday. A widely shared clip shows Goenka walking up with his grandson in tow following the LSG victory, and despite Virat Kohli being occupied in conversation, the franchise chief waited calmly rather than interrupt the Royal Challengers batter. The patience paid off: Kohli later spoke with Goenka and even signed an autograph for his grandson.
Key takeaways
- Sanjiv Goenka met Virat Kohli with his grandson after LSG’s win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
- Kohli initially stayed engaged in a discussion with Kane Williamson, and Goenka waited without disturbing them.
- Goenka’s grandson received an autograph from Kohli once the conversation concluded.
- Rishabh Pant said the victory against the defending champions helped end a run of six consecutive losses.
- LSG won by nine runs under the DLS method in a rain-affected 19-over contest.
- The match also became LSG’s first home win in five games that season.
Goenka’s patience with Kohli, and the autograph moment
In the viral video, Goenka can be seen approaching Kohli while his grandson follows closely. The timing, however, was not ideal for a quick interaction because Kohli was chatting with Kane Williamson. Even though Goenka seemed keen to connect with the RCB star, he held back and waited for the two players to finish their exchange.
The clip highlights that Goenka did not even allow an LSG staff member to interrupt the conversation. After Kohli wrapped up with Williamson, Goenka and Kohli managed to have a chat, and Kohli went a step further by giving an autograph to Goenka’s grandson. The footage also suggests Goenka had been hoping to get an autograph from Kohli for his son, but chose to remain patient while Kohli was occupied.
There was also a moment where Goenka reportedly declined an offer to call Kohli through his bodyguard. The story adds a contrast with a widely discussed idea about how other high-profile owners’ security details might act to secure an immediate photo—yet here, Goenka kept things respectful and unhurried.
Pant on LSG’s turnaround and the tactical call in the final over
Captain Rishabh Pant said the result against Royal Challengers Bengaluru carried extra weight for Lucknow Super Giants, who had been struggling before finally breaking their losing streak. Pant noted that the win meant a great deal to a side that had been working hard to find consistency and described it as a crucial step in aligning their batting and bowling efforts.
LSG’s victory came in a rain-interrupted match reduced to 19 overs per side, with the team sealing a nine-run triumph under the DLS method. Pant also pointed out the broader significance of the performance, calling it a tough season but stressing that teams sometimes need to endure the grind before turning corners. The win additionally marked LSG’s first home success in five matches during the campaign.
Discussing their game plan, Pant said they aimed to put together a complete display where batting and bowling reinforce each other. He also addressed the challenge of decision-making under pressure while defending 20 runs. Specifically, Pant explained the selection of Digvesh Rathi for the final over, describing it as a difficult call and adding that Rathi was the right matchup against Romario Shepherd.
Pant further praised centurion Mitchell Marsh, calling his innings “unbelievable.” He credited the team’s preparation and said that while the side has been grinding, the strength this season has been bowling—highlighting how the bowlers put in their effort as a unit. With the win, Pant said the group will look to build on those positive aspects and carry forward their momentum.
