Sanjeev Goenka

Sanjeev Goenka, the India coach, on how he built the LSG side in two weeks: “It Was Gautam Gambhir’s Team”

Sanjeev Goenka Coach for India as Gautam Gambhir worked with LSG during the team’s first two IPL seasons, having joined the support staff in December 2021.

Earlier this year, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final to win their third championship. It was their first IPL victory since 2014, and only their third overall. Interestingly, Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India now, has contributed to all three of KKR’s IPL victories. He led the team as captain in 2012 and 2014 as KKR won two titles in three seasons. But this season, Gambhir adopted a new position and joined KKR as a mentor. He came to KKR from the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), where he was also the team’s mentor.

Gambhir worked with LSG during the team’s first two IPL seasons, having joined the support staff in December 2021.

The owner of LSG, Sanjeev Goenka, now gives Gambhir credit for creating everything from the ground up. Sanjeev Goenka disclosed that LSG did not have an analyst or scout team prior to the auction due to a lack of time, but Gambhir handled everything.

“Gautam has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for the side. Gautam alone is to blame for the success of our first auction. Barely two weeks before the auctions, we acquired the franchise. Neither a research team nor an analyst were present. It was all the team of Gautam Gambhir. He took on every task and assembled a well-rounded team. Everyone has particular tasks, and Gautam played his part incredibly well,” Sanjeev Goenka stated during an interview with Sports Tak.

LSG qualified for the IPL playoffs in its first two seasons before finishing eighth in IPL 2024.

Zaheer Khan, a former Indian pacer, was named mentor of LSG ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auctions.

Following his appointment, Zaheer declared that he would do everything within his power to support the team.

Since it’s a team game, I’ll do everything in my power to support the team, which does involve bowling. Does the team require another bowling coach if I am present during the setup? Despite having only been in the IPL for three years, LSG’s experience is on par with clubs that have been in for seventeen or eighteen years. The building blocks are in place, and we need to take them forward. “We will work on decision-making because it may set teams apart,” Zaheer stated during the media briefing at the RPSG Group’s Kolkata headquarters. 

Sanjeev Goenka

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) gained attention as a team to watch shortly after they joined the Indian Premier League (IPL). The painstaking planning and astute strategic thinking of former Indian cricket player Gautam Gambhir are largely responsible for this triumph. The owner of LSG, Sanjeev Goenka, claims that Gambhir played a key role in developing the team, needing only two weeks to put together a group capable of competing with the league’s top.

The Purpose of LSG’s Establishment

Gambhir’s Methodical Approach

Cricket player Gautam Gambhir is renowned for having a keen mind, which has helped him both on and off the field. From the beginning, he had a clear vision for LSG: to assemble a well-rounded club comprising both young and seasoned players. He thought that maintaining this balance would be essential to success in the fiercely competitive IPL atmosphere.

Identifying the main players

Finding the key players the team will be centered around. This required evaluating each player’s advantages and disadvantages in order to see how well they would complement the larger plan. The core group would be essential to the team’s success on the field and in creating its culture.

Putting Together a Competing Team

Spotting and Choosing Talent

Gambhir established a stringent talent scouting procedure in collaboration with the LSG management. They searched for players who could provide the team with flexibility and adaptability. In addition to statistical analysis, the players’ resilience under duress and mental toughness were taken into account.

Experience and youth are emphasized.

Gambhir stressed the value of having a mix of young and seasoned players on the squad. In critical periods, senior players offer stability and advice, while younger players contribute excitement and vitality. The final roster, which featured both seasoned professionals and up-and-coming talents, demonstrated this diversity.

Gambhir’s Function in Team Culture

Direction and guidance

In the realm of cricket, Gautam Gambhir’s leadership style is highly regarded. He served as both a strategist and a mentor at LSG. He collaborated closely with the players, sharing his expertise and advice to help them develop. His participation in the team’s daily operations contributed to the development of a winning and positive culture.

Developing a Winning Mentality

Gambhir is renowned for his unwavering perseverance and intense competitiveness. He encouraged the LSG players to constantly aim for greatness by instilling this mindset in them. Their on-field performances demonstrated a strong sense of team spirit, which was fostered by this strategy in addition to improving individual performances.

Gambhir’s Vision’s Effect on LSG

Good debut season

Gambhir’s vision took effect right away. LSG surprised a lot of people with their impressive debut season performances. Gambhir’s foundation-laying throughout the team-building phase was a major factor in the team’s confidence and consistency on the field.

Ipcoming prospects

Going forward, LSG appears to be well-positioned for the upcoming IPL seasons. The group possesses a strong core, a well-defined plan, and an excellence-oriented culture. As long as Gambhir is involved, LSG’s chances appear bright.

In summary

It is impossible to overestimate Gautam Gambhir’s contribution to the formation of the Lucknow Super Giants. He established the foundation for what is now among the most promising teams in the IPL in just two weeks. His abilities to create a winning culture, balance his approach, and think strategically have put LSG on the right track for success. Gambhir will definitely continue to be a major impact on the team as they develop and improve.

Also Read : Shikhar Dhawan “Gabbar Hai Dil Se Bhi”