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"He Was Struggling," Mahela Jayawardene Justifies Tilak Varma's Retire Out vs LSG

Bhargav Dixit

Jayawardene justifies decision to retire out Tilak [Source: @mufaddal_vohra & @CricketNDTV/X]Jayawardene justifies decision to retire out Tilak [Source: @mufaddal_vohra & @CricketNDTV/X]

Following Rajasthan Royals’ Ravichandran Ashwin (2022), Punjab Kings’ Atharva Taide (2023) and Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan (2023), Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma became the fourth cricketer to be retired out in Indian Premier League history. Admitting how it wasn’t “nice”, head coach Mahela Jayawardene called it a “tactical“ decision.

As a member of current MI squad, Varma is the most high-profile batter among these four names to have been called back to the dugout due to an inability to up the ante.

Why Was Tilak Varma Retired Out?

As an Impact Player, Varma walked in to bat at No. 5 in a 204-run chase. Part of a 48-ball 66-run fourth-wicket partnership alongside vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav, Varma was retired out after scoring 25 (23) at a strike rate of 108.69.

At the time of Varma’s chance to bat against Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Mumbai needed 118 runs to win off 71 balls. By the time all-rounder Mitchell Santner replaced him, they required 24 off seven with captain Hardik Pandya already in the middle.

Pointing out how the left-handed batter was struggling to get going in terms of playing the big shots in a desperate situation, Jayawardene justified the decision to replace him with Santner. 

With MI needing 40 runs in the last three overs, Varma had been able to run just three singles off as many deliveries in this period.

"I think Tilak batted well for us when we lost that wicket, and that partnership with Surya [Suryakumar Yadav] was crucial. He just couldn’t get going towards the end. I waited till the last few overs, hoping that since he had spent some time there, he would get that big hit away. But he was struggling, and I felt we needed someone fresh out there,” Jayawardene told the reporters during the post-match press conference.

Suryakumar Yadav Miffed With MI Retiring Out Tilak Varma

Yadav, whose 67 (43) comprising nine fours and a six went in vain last night, was visibly miffed by Jayawardene’s decision to retire out Varma. In a viral video across social media platforms, Jayawardene is understood to be explaining the rationale behind his decision to Yadav.

For those who don’t know, Varma’s 19 out of 29 international and 33 out of 42 IPL matches have come in Yadav’s presence. 

The crowning point of Varma’s T20I career came after Yadav sacrificed his No. 3 spot for him during the tour of South Africa last year. Speaking of run-chases under Yadav, Varma was instrumental in sealing a 166-run chase against England in Chennai earlier this year.