IPL 2026: Lalit Modi calls LSG owner Sanjeev Goenka a ‘clown’ over RR and RCB’s record buyout deal reaction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has recently gone from a mere sports tournament to a global financial behemoth, passing through valuation rounds that have sent shockwaves through the sports world. As the league cements its status as the second most valuable sports property worldwide on a per-match basis, the drama off the field is proving to be just as explosive as the action on the field. The most recent season was defined not just by centuries and wickets, but by a high-stakes controversy involving the league’s “founding father” and one of its most prominent current owners.

The protector was burned after the historic sale of two of the league’s legacy franchises: Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The numbers involved are staggering. Originally bought for around ₹270 crore in 2008, RR was recently valued at over ₹15,000 crore. RCB followed suit with a jump in valuation from an initial ₹ 485 crore to a massive ₹ 16,600 crore.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) the owner Sanjiv Goenka Taking to social media to celebrate these numbers, he attributed the exponential growth to the country’s current governance. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Goenka praised the “architecture of the IPL” and “Jay Shah’s vision”, crediting the structuring of digital and broadcast rights for giving investors the confidence to pour billions into the ecosystem. While the tweet appeared to be a standard congratulatory note on the health of the league, it served as a lightning rod for the man who claimed the original plan for the IPL.

1/ @rajasthanroyalsBought for around ₹270 crore in 2008, it has just been sold for over ₹15,000 crore. @RCBTweetsbought for around ₹485 crore, sold for over ₹16,600 crore. Two franchises, same week, over ₹ 15,000 crore each.

This value is built by architecture …

— Dr. Sanjiv Goenka (@DrSanjivGoenka) March 25, 2026

Also READ: Aakash Chopra predicts likely Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) XI for IPL 2026

The term ‘clown’ sparked controversy as Lalit Modi hit out at the LSG owner

Answer from Lalit ModiThe former IPL commissioner, now based in London, was agile and characteristically unfiltered. Before his controversial speech, Modi, who was instrumental in launching the IPL in 2008, took direct aim at Goenka’s historical perspective, or lack thereof.

In his scathing retort, Modi called Goenka a “clown” and suggested the billionaire was suffering from amnesia about who thought up the IPL model. Modi was not content with professional criticism; he made Sanjiv personal by comparing him to his brother, Tough Goenkacalling him a true cricket fan, stating that he wished he had owned the franchise instead.

Modi’s rant highlights long-standing tensions between the league’s old guard and its current management. Claiming that Goenka has zero knowledge and a swollen head, Modi is essentially fighting for his legacy, arguing that the current multi-billion dollar valuations are the result of the foundation he laid nearly two decades ago, not just the efforts of BCCI’s current management.

The controversy has divided fans and analysts alike. While many acknowledge the incredible work the current BCCI team has done in taking the league to its ₹16,000 crore valuation, others feel that Modi’s pivotal role in the architecture of the IPL is often unfairly erased from the official narrative. As the IPL 2026 season begins, this war of words is a reminder that egos are often as big as bank balances in the world of cricket’s elite.

Seriously this guy has memory loss as to who made the model. That’s okay. He just lives in his own world. We all know this 🤣🤣🤣 @DrSanjivGoenka one 🤡
I wish he was her brother @hvgoenka who owns the ipl franchise. He is a true cricket fan. It’s not a clown – who would have thought… https://t.co/m8eBdAOHHX

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) March 26, 2026

Also READ: Yograj Singh slams Ravichandran Ashwin for his comments about Arjun Tendulkar ahead of IPL 2026.