In a dramatic moment during an IPL 2025 clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), MI skipper Hardik Pandya made a decision that stunned fans and experts alike — he retired out Tilak Varma in the final stages of the run chase.
Tilak was on 25 runs from 23 balls, and MI needed 24 runs off just 7 deliveries. Sensing the need for power hitting, Hardik pulled Tilak out and sent in Mitchell Santner instead, hoping for some fireworks. This rare move — only the fourth instance of a ‘retired out’ in IPL history — didn’t go unnoticed.
After the game, Hardik explained, “We needed someone to go big. Tilak was trying, but it just wasn’t his day. It was a team-first decision.”
Despite the bold strategy, MI couldn’t cross the finish line and lost the match by 12 runs. Hardik took full ownership of the loss, saying, “We win together, we lose together. The blame’s on me.”
The move triggered a wave of reactions. Some fans praised the out-of-the-box thinking. Others, including former India player Hanuma Vihari, weren’t so kind. He questioned why Tilak was targeted when other players have had off days too, tweeting, “Hardik struggled vs GT and wasn’t retired out. Why Tilak then?”
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Critics argue that while tactical innovation is welcome, consistency is key. If you’re going to make such calls, they need to be fair across the board.
Whether it was a masterstroke or a misstep, one thing’s for sure — Hardik’s decision has sparked a major conversation about the evolving tactics of T20 cricket. It might not have paid off this time, but it shows how captains are now willing to take big risks to win.
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