By Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have already had an emotional rollercoaster in the opening week of IPL 2025. From intense post-match scrutiny after their season-opening defeat to Delhi Capitals, to a dominant comeback win against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the focus has remained squarely on newly-appointed captain Rishabh Pant—and the public reaction from team owner Sanjiv Goenka.

Pant, who was signed for a record Rs 27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, came into the season carrying high expectations. But after a disappointing loss to DC, things quickly grew tense. Cameras captured a visibly serious post-match discussion between Goenka, Pant, and head coach Justin Langer—a moment that instantly reminded fans of Goenka’s now-infamous confrontation with former captain KL Rahul during IPL 2024.

That 2024 exchange, which followed a 10-wicket defeat to SRH, was widely seen as the beginning of Rahul’s exit from the franchise. With Pant now in charge, the conversation stirred similar concerns.

However, LSG flipped the narrative just three days later after wining registering a thumping victory against the tournament’s fan favourite destructive Sunrisers Hyderabad.

In response to SRH 191 target, the Goenka and company chased down the target of 191 in only 16.1 overs to beat SRH by five wickets. As David Miller hit the winning runs, the LSG owner walked down and embraced Pant in a moment that went viral—this time symbolizing reassurance and public backing.

Though Pant did not contribute significantly with the bat in either match, his presence behind the stumps and leadership on the field appeared far more composed in Hyderabad. His field placements, bowling changes and calm demeanor marked a shift from the LSG’s previous poor outing against DC.

Right after Supergiants loss against Capitals, the LSG assistant coach Lance Klusener had highlighted the core issue in a post match conference. Citing LSG’s inability to finish strong with the bat despite promising starts, he said that the team left 20–30 runs out there. That’s probably why we ended up under pressure with the ball.

Goenka, too, addressed the squad calmly in the dressing room after the defeat. “Lots of positives in both batting and bowling. We’re a young team. Let’s look forward to the 27^th.” he said in a video shared by the franchise.

His words was focused on growth and learning, rather than criticism—another sign of the franchise’s internal reset.

Pant, for his part, has shown he’s not afraid of feedback. Reflecting earlier on the KL Rahul-Goenka fallout, Pant had said in an interview, “I get scolded every day, but I’m also stubborn. These things happen when you lose.”

But unlike Rahul, Pant now has a public sign of support from the franchise owner. The hug, captured on camera, wasn’t just celebratory—it was symbolic. It sent a message that, despite a shaky start, Pant has the management’s trust and time to lead.

With one win under their belt, LSG will now look to build momentum. And for Pant, the journey as captain continues—with the weight of expectation, but also a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

Veera Dheera Sooran, directed by SU Arun Kumar, emerges as a compelling blend of realistic storytelling and mainstream masala action. Fronted by a powerful performance from Vikram, the film unfolds over a single tense night, marked by urgent pursuits, simmering conflicts, and a past that refuses to stay buried.

Set against the vivid backdrop of Madurai, the film draws structural comparisons to earlier one-night thrillers, yet stands apart in execution. It introduces its central characters without conventional build-up, weaving their arcs through smart visual storytelling. Suraj Venjaramoodu’s Kannan, SJ Suryah’s Arunagiri, and Prakash Raj’s Periyavar play crucial roles in the game of survival that gradually pulls Vikram’s Kaali back into a world of violence.

Kaali, a family man with a dark past, is brought back into the fold when threats to his loved ones reawaken the violent persona he had long suppressed. His arc mirrors that of a reluctant anti-hero, drawing comparisons to global icons like John Wick. However, the attempt to balance his intense action sequences with his role as a devoted husband and father results in a tonal dissonance that weakens the stakes.

One of the standout elements of Veera Dheera Sooran is the restrained yet expressive performance from Vikram, who imbues Kaali with a mix of pain, purpose, and precision. His chemistry with Dushara Vijayan’s Kalaivaani adds emotional depth, especially during flashback scenes that explore their relationship. Kalaivaani, though assertive in her own right, still exists within a framework controlled by Kaali’s choices.

Technically, the film shines with Theni Eswar’s cinematography, which uses shadows and light to intensify the nocturnal tone. The background score by GV Prakash Kumar enhances several scenes, although the music lacks consistency and some sequences overstay their welcome.

The film’s pacing falters at times, and certain characters—like Venkat, played by Baalaji—are written in ways that highlight their irrelevance, which the makers seem self-aware about. However, the well-choreographed stunt scenes and a tightly written script that delves into themes of revenge and goodwill keep the narrative gripping.

Veera Dheera Sooran is not just a star vehicle; it’s a showcase of what can happen when a capable director like Arun Kumar focuses on the actor, not the celebrity. Vikram rises to the occasion, reaffirming his versatility and depth as a performer. Even when the film stumbles, it never stops being engaging.

Following Sunrisers Hyderabad’s five-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025, SRH’s destructive wicket-keeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen has defended team’s batting depth, saying team doesn’t rely solely on Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma duo.

Travishek, a standout pair from SRH’s IPL 2024 campaign with 736 runs across 16 innings, couldn’t deliver as expected on March 27. Abhishek fell early in the third over, and although Head managed a quick 47 off 28 balls, SRH’s total of 190 fell short on a batting-friendly Hyderabad pitch.

Dismissing the team’s overdependence on Travishek, Klassen acknowledged that Travishek’s aggressive starts put early pressure on opponents, easing the job for the middle order.

 “Not at all,” Klaasen said during the post-match press conference. “If we look at our batting lineup, we are destructive till batter No.8. We don’t need Travis and Abhishek to come off every time. We’re good enough to score without them as well,” he said.

“You will never have a season where both of them will score more than 1000 runs. It’s the way we play—a bit on the riskier side,” Klaasen added.

SRH, who batted first, were restricted to 190 despite good intent shown early on. Klaasen felt the score was underwhelming considering the surface.

“We didn’t score enough runs. 210-220 was par score. One or two unlucky dismissals hurt us. One was caught down the leg side, another was deflected onto the stumps off the bowler’s hand. But that’s part of the game,” he said.

The wicketkeeper-batter remains confident in SRH’s depth and ability to recover from setbacks. The team is set to take on Delhi Capitals in their next match on March 30 in Vizag.