Shami on Goenka and KL Rahul (Image Credits: X)
Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka is no stranger to controversies during his IPL stay and particularly after his angry on-field talk with ex-captain KL Rahul in early 2024. With LSG’s seventh-place finishes in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the criticisms of the franchise and its management have gotten even stronger among fans and experts. Yet, old Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has supported the franchise owner and has a different view of Goenka’s passionate bond with the team. “Expectations Are Natural”-Shami’s Point of View When talking on a podcast, Shami stood by Goenka’s emotional responses and explained that high expectations are fair when such a big investment is made.
“If it’s anybody, when they invest such a huge amount in you, it’s only normal to have high expectations, ” Shami said. He also remarked that there is nothing wrong if the owner feels emotionally connected and wants the players to reach their best. Shami stated that Goenka’s zeal must not be taken as a bad sign, as it is driven by a wish to see the team winning.
Investment Brings Pressure and Responsibility. Going on, Shami made a very understandable and personal comparison to convey Goenka’s thinking. To help the audience understand his point, he said that even a tiny investment in oneself can cause stress, so a person who invests thousands of crores can have a very palpable concern about the outcome. Goenka had shelled out an unbelievable 7,090 crore for the Lucknow franchise, which makes it one of the costliest teams in the league.
Shami said that such a money pledge must lead to emotional involvement and pressure to perform. He also talked about memes and owner criticism, which, according to him, are mostly unfair and neglect to consider the overall situation.
Shami explained further by saying anybody would be nervous if they invest even Rs 5,000, let alone the enormous amount Goenka has in LSG. Goenka purchased Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 7,090 crore. “Bahut saare meme bhi bane hain, bahut saari cheezein bani hain jo sahi nahi hain. Kyunki aap kisi normal insaan ko lekar aao – 5,000 rupaye lagakar dekho kisi cheez mein, 10 baar dil dhadakta hai ki, ‘mere 5,000 na chale jaayein, mere 10,000 na chale jaayein’ (Many memes and things are going around that aren’t right. If you take a normal person – even if they invest Rs 5,000 in something, their heart skips a beat thinking, ‘What if I lose Rs 5,000 or Rs 10,000’),” Shami elaborated.
Shami is not just playing for Lucknow Super Giants but leading the pace bowlers, who are in a very young and talented unit. Besides Shami, other promising names in the line-up are Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan. The administration and experienced guidance from Shami will certainly be motivating Lucknow Super Giants to recover from their two unsuccessful seasons and aim to be one of the top teams of the IPL.
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