Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Captain Rishabh Pant, owner Sanjiv Goenka, and squad members visit Ram Janmabhoomi, aim for a strong season and first IPL final
Just ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have begun their campaign on a spiritual note, combining faith with fresh determination. Team captain Rishabh Pant, franchise chairman and principal owner Sanjiv Goenka, along with several squad members, visited the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya to offer prayers and seek blessings for the upcoming season.
The franchise shared a picture of the visit on social media platform X, where the team was seen immersed in devotion. In the post, it was mentioned that Dr. Sanjiv Goenka, along with captain Rishabh Pant and other players, visited the holy shrine to pray for success in the new season.
LSG’s journey in the IPL so far has been a mix of highs and lows. Under the leadership of KL Rahul, the team reached the playoffs in IPL 2022 but was eliminated in the Eliminator. In IPL 2023, they progressed to the second round but once again faced an exit in the Eliminator. During the latter half of that season, Krunal Pandya took over the captaincy.
However, in IPL 2024, the team failed to move beyond the league stage. Following this, the management made a major decision by releasing KL Rahul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. LSG then made headlines by signing Rishabh Pant for a record ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history, and subsequently appointing him as captain.
The previous season under Pant’s leadership turned out to be disappointing, as LSG managed only six wins in 14 matches. A streak of four consecutive losses significantly hurt their playoff chances. Pant scored 269 runs in 13 innings, including one century and one half-century.
Now, heading into IPL 2026, LSG are ready with renewed energy and strong intent. They will begin their campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1, followed by a clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 5. Their next matches include Kolkata Knight Riders on April 9 and Gujarat Titans on April 12. This season, the team is firmly focused on reaching its first-ever IPL final.