Rishabh Pant’s Record-Breaking ₹27 Crore Bid: Lucknow Super Giants Reflect on ‘Slight Overpayment
The much-anticipated IPL 2025 Mega Auction is underway, with all 10 teams vying to secure top players for their squads. Among the franchises, Sanjiv Goenka’s Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is making headlines as it looks to revamp its lineup following a disappointing season.
A significant move by Goenka was parting ways with former captain KL Rahul, a decision still sparking conversations among fans due to their publicized on-field clash.
Sanjiv Goenka: The Billionaire Behind Lucknow Super Giants
Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of the Lucknow Super Giants, is a prominent business tycoon with a net worth of $4 billion, as per Forbes.
His wealth is rooted in the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group, a Kolkata-based conglomerate with revenues exceeding $4.5 billion. The group’s flagship company, Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC), dates back to 1897.
Following a major restructuring, CESC was divided into four distinct firms: Haldia Energy Limited, Dhariwal Infrastructure Limited, Noida Power Company Limited, and Integrated Coal Mining Limited.
Beyond the energy sector, Goenka’s business ventures include the supermarket chain Spencer’s and the snack brand Too Yumm!, managed by his son, Shashwat Goenka.
According to Forbes, Goenka ranks as the 65th richest Indian in 2024 and 949th on the global billionaire list.
Mega Auction Details
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction is being held on November 24 and 25 at the Abady Al Johar Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With a remaining purse of ₹69 crore and one Right to Match (RTM) card, the Lucknow Super Giants are strategically planning their acquisitions.
Among the standout moves was securing Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant for a record-breaking ₹27 crore on day one of the auction.
A Historic Signing: Rishabh Pant Joins LSG
Lucknow Super Giants’ owner Sanjiv Goenka revealed that acquiring Pant came at a premium. “We had kept ₹26 crore for Pant but had to stretch our budget by ₹1 crore to secure him,” Goenka shared.
Despite slightly overpaying, he expressed satisfaction with the decision, emphasizing that the fans should be thrilled with Pant’s addition.
Shashwat Goenka, Sanjiv’s son, reiterated that the acquisition aligned with their strategy. “This wasn’t about a magic number; it was part of a plan to prevent the RTM card from being exercised,” he stated.
Pant’s inclusion strengthens LSG’s middle order, alongside retained players like Nicholas Pooran and Ayush Badoni, as well as newly acquired South African veteran David Miller.
Competition at the Auction
Several franchises, including the Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings, aggressively bid for Pant, making his signing one of the most talked-about events in IPL history.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals opted not to retain Pant, choosing instead to hold onto Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, South African batter Tristan Stubbs, and uncapped wicketkeeper Abishek Porel. They exercised their RTM card to bring back Australian powerhouse Jake Fraser-McGurk.
LSG’s Strategy for 2025
With Pant’s arrival, LSG has addressed its middle-order concerns, bolstering the lineup for the upcoming season. The team aims to improve its performance significantly after falling short last year.
Retaining key players and making strategic acquisitions at the auction signals the franchise’s determination to compete at the highest level.
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction has set the stage for an exciting season, with Lucknow Super Giants making bold moves under the leadership of Sanjiv Goenka.
The franchise’s ambitious strategies, including the historic signing of Rishabh Pant, reflect a clear intent to emerge as strong contenders. As the auction unfolds, all eyes remain on how these changes will shape the team’s journey in the upcoming IPL season.
