Ahead of a crucial fourth T20I against South Africa, the Indian cricket team swapped nets for the big screen on Monday night. After arriving in Lucknow earlier in the evening, the squad stepped out for a private screening of Aditya Dhar’s blockbuster Dhurandhar — a relaxed team outing before match day.
A full house, booked just for Team India
Following their convincing seven-wicket win in the third T20I and a 2–1 lead in the five-match series, the players decided to unwind together. The entire 8:10 pm show at the Phoenix Palassio mall multiplex was reserved exclusively for the team and support staff.
Cricketers including Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir, were seen arriving in casuals. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, a South African himself, also joined the movie night.
Why Dhurandhar was the pick
Dhurandhar, led by Ranveer Singh and featuring Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun, has been one of the biggest box office stories of the season. With its high-octane action and intense performances, the film has attracted audiences well beyond cinema circles — including, now, the Indian cricket team.
Inside the theatre experience
According to multiplex officials, Audi No. 10 was fully secured to meet safety protocols. Around 40 members — players and support staff combined — attended the screening. The team exited the theatre around 12:10 am, wrapping up a late but light-hearted evening.
Match-day focus resumes
After landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Team India checked into the Hyatt Regency, while the South African squad stayed at Hotel Renaissance. Both teams are scheduled for practice sessions at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Ekana) Stadium on Tuesday.
With crowd preparations, traffic plans, and security arrangements already in place, Lucknow is fully set to host the international fixture on December 17. After splitting the first two games and dominating the third, India will be eyeing a series-clinching win.
Final Words
A movie night might seem like a small break, but moments like these often help teams reset mentally. With spirits high and momentum on their side, Team India now turns its attention back to the field — refreshed, relaxed, and ready.
