In the IPL match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Mumbai Indians made headlines by retiring Tilak Varma, who scored 25 runs off 23 balls. This strategic move occurred during the 19th over, with the team needing 24 runs from 7 balls. Mitchell Santner replaced Tilak, but Mumbai ultimately lost the match, with Avesh Khan limiting them to just 22 runs in the final over.
Captain Hardik Pandya said, “It was clear that we needed big shots, and Tilak wasn’t in rhythm that day. There are days in cricket when you try your best, but things don’t go in your favor. Our decision speaks for itself as to why we did that.”
In the IPL’s history, a batsman has been retired out four times. Notably, Ashwin (2022), Taiyde (2023), and Sudharsan (2023) all experienced this. Mumbai Indians’ recent decision has sparked discussions and diverse reactions surrounding its strategic implications in the cricket community.
