Before IPL 2026, while on one hand the franchise’s record-breaking deal is in the headlines, on the other hand a controversy has erupted over who should get the credit for the success of the league. Former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi launched a scathing attack on Sanjiv Goenka and even called him a ‘clown’ (joker).
In fact, the recent sale of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals took the value of the Indian Premier League to new heights. RCB was bought for about $1.78 billion (about Rs. 16600 crores) while Rajasthan Royals was sold for about $1.63 billion (about Rs. 15290 crores). Both these deals are among the biggest deals in IPL history.
Lalit Modi angry at Goenka over IPL deal
Royal Challengers Bangalore has been bought by a consortium of Aditya Birla Group, Blackstone, Times Group and Bolt Ventures. Rajasthan Royals was bought by a group led by American businessman Kal Somani.
Seriously this guy really has a memory loss of who conceived the model. That’s ok. He just lives in his own world. We all know that🤣🤣🤣 @DrSanjivGoenka is a 🤡
wish it was his brother @hvgoenka who owned the ipl franchise. He is a true cricket fan. Not this clown – who thinks… https://t.co/m8eBdAOHHX— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) March 26, 2026
Goenka gives credit for IPL deal to Jay Shah
Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjeev Goenka made a post on social media regarding the increasing value of IPL. He wrote that the teams bought for a few hundred crores in 2008 are now being sold for more than Rs 15,000 crore. Goenka attributed this success to the structure of the IPL, especially the media rights model and governance.
He also said that Jai Shah’s thinking contributed a lot to this success. However, there was no mention of Lalit Modi in Goenka’s statement, which angered him.
Lalit Modi targeted Sanjiv Goenka
Lalit Modi gave a sharp reaction on social media and targeted Goenka. Modi wrote, ‘It seems they don’t remember who created the model of IPL. They live in their own world. Sanjeev Goenka is a clown, he does not understand cricket.
Modi even said that he wished the ownership rights of Lucknow Super Giants were with his brother Harsh Goenka, who is a true fan of cricket. He also accused Goenka of trying to change history.
Till now there has been no reaction from Sanjiv Goenka on this entire controversy, but this debate on who should get the credit for the success of a big brand like IPL has sparked a new discussion in the cricket world.
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