Goenka addressed the viral video of his animated interaction with Pant.
After LSG lost their opening IPL 2026 match to Delhi Capitals (DC), a footage surfaced showing Goenka in an intense conversation with Pant on the field. This sparked controversy, with many comparing it to his infamous public reprimand of former skipper KL Rahul in 2024.
In an exclusive chat with NDTV, Goenka defended himself by saying that his natural, high-energy communication style is often misconstrued when shared as isolated, muted clips on social media, making him a "convenient punching bag" for those seeking "instant views".
"Look, with a player like Rishabh, there is never a 'daat' (scolding) situation. But on social media, even if Sanjiv Goenka moves his hands a certain way, it becomes breaking news. I've become a very convenient punching bag. If you run a headline saying 'Sanjiv Goenka scolds his player,' you get instant views," Goenka said.
"People need to understand that one incident doesn't define a person. We make mistakes, we learn, and we ensure we don't repeat them. The dressing room is happy, and the environment is positive; these outside narratives aren't actual issues," he added.
"It's funny how a simple gesture or hand movement outside the field becomes a national headline. I am naturally someone who speaks with a lot of hand movements, but seeing how things get misinterpreted, I am now literally learning to keep my hands behind my back while talking," he further remarked.
Sanjiv Goenka also dismissed allegations of interfering in technical cricketing matters, acknowledging his lack of professional experience.
"How do I respond to critics who say I interfere? Honestly, for someone who has never played professional cricket, it would be foolish of me to tell my players how to play. I have a massive team of experts who handle the technical side of the game," he stated.
While admitting to being highly passionate about the team's success, Goenka clarified that his primary responsibility is to provide support rather than acting as a coach.
"Yes, I am passionate about the team. I want them to succeed and do well, but I don't understand the nuances of cricket the way an expert does. It would be completely out of place for me to give 'cricketing lessons' to professional athletes. My role is to support the team, not to coach them," he concluded.