Sanjiv Goenka, the current owner of Lucknow Super Giants, has had a significant relationship with MS Dhoni, especially during the IPL seasons of 2016 and 2017. When Chennai Super Kings were suspended for two years, Dhoni made the move to Rising Pune Supergiants, a team that was formed to fill the gap during CSK’s absence. Goenka’s franchise signed Dhoni during the player draft and made him the captain.
However, after just one year, Dhoni was removed from the leadership role, which sparked media speculation about a possible fallout between the two. Despite the rumours, neither Dhoni nor Goenka commented on the situation at the time. Recently, Goenka addressed the matter and explained that he had a conversation with Dhoni before the captaincy change.
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He emphasized that both had mutually agreed on the decision. Goenka also expressed his immense respect for Dhoni, stating that he had never seen a leader like him. He recalled personal moments with the legendary cricketer, particularly mentioning an incident involving his grandson.
Sanjiv Goenka – “I’ve never seen a leader like MS Dhoni ” pic.twitter.com/lECFFC2uBE
— . (@Devx_07) December 12, 2024
Sanjiv Goenka shared that Dhoni, despite being one of the biggest names in world cricket, took the time to have an extended conversation with his young grandson about the game, a gesture that left a lasting impression on him.
Goenka also highlighted Dhoni’s ability to nurture young talent, citing the example of Matheesha Pathirana, a bowler Dhoni helped transform into a match-winner. He noted Dhoni’s knack for understanding the strengths of his players and utilizing them effectively. “Every time I interact with him, I learn something new,” Sanjiv Goenka remarked.
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The businessman also pointed out that whenever Dhoni plays against Lucknow, the stadium fills with yellow, showing the massive support he commands from fans. Looking ahead, Goenka’s admiration for Dhoni continues, especially with Dhoni set to wear the yellow jersey once again in the 2025 IPL season. The Chennai Super Kings captain was retained by the franchise for INR 4 crore ahead of the mega-auction, and fans are eagerly awaiting his return to the field.
