In a surprising moment during the IPL 2025 match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Tilak Varma was retired out in the second-last over of MI’s chase.
This rare decision left fans and experts puzzled, but MI coach Mahela Jayawardene later explained why it happened.
What Happened?
Mumbai Indians were chasing a big target of 204 runs. With just 29 runs needed from 12 balls, Tilak Varma was batting on 25 runs from 23 balls but was struggling to hit big shots.
In a bold move, MI decided to retire him out and send Mitchell Santner to bat instead. Despite this strategy, MI couldn’t chase the target and lost the match by 12 runs, finishing at 191/5.
Why Tilak Varma Retired Out: Coach Mahela Jayawardene’s Explanation
After the match, MI coach Mahela Jayawardene said the decision to retire Tilak out was purely tactical.
He explained that Tilak had played well earlier but wasn’t able to accelerate during the crucial death overs.
The team felt they needed a fresh batter who could hit big shots immediately.
Jayawardene said:
“Tilak tried his best but couldn’t find his rhythm in the last few overs. We needed someone fresh to take on the bowlers at that stage. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was necessary for the team.”
Support from Captain Hardik Pandya
MI captain Hardik Pandya supported the decision, saying it was made in the team’s best interest.
He explained that sometimes players struggle under pressure, and such moves are part of cricket strategy.
“Tilak was trying hard, but it wasn’t working for him today. We had to make a tough call to give ourselves a better chance,” Pandya said after the match.
Mixed Reactions from Fans and Experts
The decision sparked debate among fans and former cricketers. While some appreciated MI’s bold approach, others criticized it as unnecessary.
Former cricketer Irfan Pathan questioned whether retiring Tilak out was a smart move. Tilak Varma became only the fourth player in IPL history to be retired out, making this incident even more unusual.
Did It Work?
Unfortunately for MI, the strategy didn’t work as planned. LSG bowlers like Shardul Thakur and Avesh Khan bowled brilliantly in the final overs, preventing MI from chasing down the target.
Suryakumar Yadav’s impressive knock of 67 off 43 balls and Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 28 off 16 weren’t enough to secure victory.
Looking Ahead
While this decision didn’t help MI win, it showed how teams are willing to try new tactics in high-pressure situations.
Mumbai Indians will now focus on their next match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 7 as they look to bounce back from this defeat.
