LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka’s anger at KL Rahul on camera: Just emotion or a reflection of wider toxic culture? , cricket news

“It’s the owner’s decision…they spend the money,” Ravi Shastri’s comments on Mumbai Indians’ captaincy change seem even more profound today, after what happened on Indian national television on Wednesday night. Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka verbally abusing his IPL team captain KL Rahul after their 10-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad is a scene that has been repeated since then. It was the biggest defeat in IPL history as SRH chased down the target of 166 runs in just 58 balls. This is the most impressive IPL win in terms of balls remaining (100+ targets) with 62 balls remaining in the innings. Naturally, Goenka, a very successful industrialist and co-owner of ISL runners-up Mohun Bagan Super Giant, was not a happy man.

In 2021, Goenka had bid more than Rs 7000 crore to buy the LSG franchise in IPL. According to many reports, Goenka will give a franchise worth Rs 7090 crore to BCCI in 10 years. With such a huge sum ready to be spent, Goenka’s attachment to the team is clear. His franchise has performed well in the past and has reached the playoffs in its first two years under the captaincy of KL Rahul.

However, this year things seemed different. Although playoff hopes are not lost, LSG is in a difficult situation. The team is ranked sixth among 10 teams.

Their 10-wicket defeat to SRH has added to the problems. And it seemed, it was too much for Goenka to handle. Goenka was seen keeping a close eye on the match throughout the match. However, emotions came under control after the defeat. Even the broadcaster couldn’t help but term the conversation between Goenka and Rahul as an “animated reaction from the LSG camp”. Even LSG coach and Australia great Justin Langer was not spared, as Goenka had warned him too.

During this time, Rahul and Langer remained calm and endured everything. Rarely has such a scene been broadcast on national television. But, can the reader claim that such incidents do not happen every day in boardrooms and corporate houses? Doesn’t this win-at-all-cost mentality play out every day in the workplace?

Just recently, two videos went viral on . A few months ago, a similar incident had happened in another bank and the dishonest officer was suspended.

Goenka’s case came into limelight because he is a reputed name. Plus, he may have momentarily forgotten that with so many cameras on the ground, nothing remains hidden. He has every right to feel bad over his team’s defeat, but expressing his frustration at his captain on cricketing matters, for which he has hired expert support staff, was it the right thing to do?

Moreover, for every serious discussion, there is a thing called ‘closed door meeting’, which is also mentioned by the official broadcaster.

Perhaps he might have taken inspiration from how Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shahrukh Khan reacted after his team’s defeat to Rajasthan Royals. In a video, which went viral, Shahrukh said: “Honestly, it’s a very proud day. The way we played; all of us. I won’t take individual names; it’s done. Don’t be disappointed, GG. As Rinku says, this is God’s plan for today. I think we would like to come back better, God willing, thanks to everyone.”

Should other owners follow Shahrukh Khan’s lead? It is entirely up to them, after all, they “spend money” in a cash-rich private league – the IPL.