Ravichandran Ashwin becomes the 1st player to be retired out

For the first time in the history of IPL, a batsmen has been retired out in a match. Ravichandran Ashwin was retired out by Rajasthan Royals.

IIPL 2022: During Rajasthan Royals’ match vs Lucknow Super Giants, Ravichandran Ashwin became the first batter to be tactically retired out in IPL history.

Ashwin came to bat at no. 6 and ended his 28 runs innings to allow youngster Riyan Parag come in the middle and join powerhouse Shimron Hetmyer.

The left-handed Hetmyer smashed an unbeaten 59 off 36 deliveries including 6 sixes and Parag also got one hit over the boundary in his four-ball stay as Royals finished on 165-6.

Catch the 1st innings highlights here: https://www.sportstrumpet.com/ipl-2022-live-score-updates-of-the-match-between-rr-and-lsg/

After the RR’s innings, Hetmyer revealed that he wasn’t informed about Ashwin’s retirement tactic, which shocked him

“I had no idea about it (Ashwin’s retirement) – he was also a bit tired. It was a good decision, as the kid (Parag) hit a six for us. We are in with a good chance. The bowlers need to keep the ball in good areas, if they do so, we are in with a fighting chance”, he said.

RR Skipper, Sanju Samson, also spoke on this.

He said, “It’s about being Rajasthan Royals (Ashwin’s retired-out). We keep trying different things. Have been talking about it before the season. We thought that if some situation occurs, we can use it. Was a team decision,” he said in the post-match presentation

Contrary to Samson, Kumar Sangakkara, RR’s director of cricket, revealed that the team had discussed it before it was entirely Ashwin’s plan to sacrifice his own wicket.

“It was the right time to do that,” said Sangakkara of Ashwin’s decision.

“Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well and we had discussed just before that as to what we would do. As the coach I got one call wrong not sending Riyan Parag ahead of Rassie van der Dussen and holding Rassie back so we couldn’t get the full benefit of Riyan, but how Ashwin handled that situation, walking in under pressure, he batted, supported the team and then finally sacrificed himself in terms of retiring himself out and then backed it up with a magnificent bowling effort. And of course Boult. Yuzi Chahal, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Sen all of these bowlers were outstanding under pressure with the dew,” Sangakkara added.

Rajasthan Royals won their match vs LSG by 3 runs. In hindsight, the tactical decision of Aswhin being retired out proved to be beneficial for Rajasthan Royals.

RR will now play vs Gujarat Titans on the 16th of April.