While Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka is facing heat for giving KL Rahul a dressing down on the field, Gautam Gambhir has apparently taken an indirect dig at him.
Goenka raised several eyebrows with his animated conversation with Rahul following LSG’s heavy 10-wicket defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this week. After SRH chased down 166 runs in just 9.4 overs to deal a major blow to LSG’s playoff hopes, Goenka confronted Rahul and head coach Justin Langer on the field and was seen scolding them.
Also Read: DC vs LSG: Revealed: What was the conversation between Sanju Goenka and KL Rahul about?
Goenka was visibly upset over the huge loss and was seen expressing his frustration over the same. The LSG owner’s action has not been well received by many and has faced criticism from various quarters. Amidst all this, Gautam Gambhir has indirectly attacked him by calling Shah Rukh Khan the best franchise owner he has ever worked with.
Gautam Gambhir criticizes Sanjiv Goenka:
Gautam Gambhir plied his trade as a mentor for LSG in the last two editions of the IPL. During his time as a mentor, LSG qualified for the playoffs in both seasons. However, Gautam Gambhir surprisingly decided to part ways with the franchise even after the impressive campaigns and joined Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2024.
Having worked with both Goenka and Shah Rukh, the former India batsman termed the latter as the best owner he has worked with. Speaking to Sportskeeda, the former Kolkata Knight Riders captain highlighted that Shah Rukh never interferes in cricketing matters and gives him the freedom and backing to take any decision.
“I have a fabulous relationship with him. To me, he’s the best owner I’ve ever worked with. And the reason is not only that he’s humble, but he’s down to earth.” said Gautama Gambhir.
“I don’t think he has ever interfered in cricket matters and it is a very important thing for someone like me because you have the freedom to make decisions. You have the freedom and the confidence that whatever decision he makes, I know he will go.” . to back me up.
“And most importantly, that’s why we got the results too. My relationship with him is fantastic and not just now but since I first joined KKR in 2011.
“But like you said, SRK is an emotion, I think KKR is an emotion for me too. That’s why I feel like when any relationship starts with trust, that trust goes a long way.”
“It’s the trust between us because I know he will never get involved in cricketing matters and he knows that any decision he makes will be in the best interest of the team and not anything else.” he added.
Gambhir led Kolkata Knight Riders from 2011 to 2017 and enjoyed a highly successful period as captain. Under him, the Knight Riders won their first title in 2012 and also won the title in 2014. In the current season they are doing well again and are currently at the top of the points table with eight wins in 11 games .