In a bold and rare move during Mumbai Indians’ (MI) IPL 2025 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Tilak Varma was retired out during a crucial phase of the chase. MI needed 24 runs off the final 7 balls, and Tilak, who was struggling to accelerate, walked off to make way for Mitchell Santner.
Now, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene has clarified that the decision was his, not captain Hardik Pandya’s. Jayawardene admitted the call was purely tactical and made with the team’s best interest in mind.
Tilak’s Struggle During the Chase
Coming in as an Impact Player, Tilak Varma managed just 25 off 23 balls, hitting only two boundaries. He struggled to find momentum in the high-pressure chase of 204 runs set by LSG at Lucknow. Despite batting alongside Suryakumar Yadav during the middle overs, Tilak couldn’t shift gears as needed in the death overs.
Jayawardene stated during the post-match press conference:
“Tilak batted well for us when we lost that wicket and built a partnership with Surya, but he just couldn’t get going in the end.”
Why Jayawardene Made the Call
As the game slipped into the final overs, Jayawardene said he gave Tilak time to find his rhythm. But with runs required quickly, a fresh batter seemed the only option.
“I waited till the last few overs hoping that he’d get that big hit, but it didn’t happen. I felt we needed someone new who could go from ball one. It wasn’t easy, but I had to make that call,” he said.
Though Santner replaced Tilak with hopes of a quick finish, the plan didn’t work out as expected. He only faced two balls and couldn’t change the game. MI eventually lost the match by 12 runs, despite Hardik Pandya hitting a six on the first ball of the final over.
A Rare But Growing Trend in T20 Cricket
While it’s still unusual, retiring a batter out is becoming a part of modern T20 strategies. Jayawardene stressed that the move, though uncomfortable, was made in good faith to try and snatch a win.
“It’s never nice to take a player out like that, but sometimes you have to make tough decisions. It was purely tactical.”
Looking Ahead for Mumbai Indians
With five IPL titles under their belt, Mumbai Indians are no strangers to innovation. Jayawardene’s move might not have paid off this time, but it reflects the franchise’s bold mindset in tight situations.
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