'It Was Obvious': Hardik Pandya Explains MI's Decision To Retire Out Tilak Varma Vs LSG
Hardik Pandya called the decision to retire out Tilak Varma in MI's IPL 2025 match against LSG 'obvious'. LSG won by 12 runs. Pandya took full ownership for the loss.
Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya said the decision to retire out Tilak Varma in Friday’s IPL 2025 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was an ‘obvious’ one. LSG won the match by 12 over, sealing the win in the last over with Pandya remaining unbeaten at 28 (16).
Tilak became only the fourth IPL player to retire out in IPL history. In the chase of 191/5 was batting at 25 (23) with just two boundaries and was finding it difficult to get his timing right. MI asked him to return to the pavilion in the 19th over when the visitors needed 24 off seven deliveries. In the dug-out, head coach Mahela Jayawardene was seen having a discussion with Suryakumar Yadav, who didn’t seem too happy about it.
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“It was obvious. We needed some hits. In cricket, some of those days come when you try but it doesn’t come off," Pandya said at the post-match presentation, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
The previous three players to retire out are Ravichandran Ashwin (2022), Atharva Taide (2023) and Sai Sudharsan (2023).
I take full ownership: Hardik Pandya
Pandya, who took five wickets in the first innings, attributed the defeat to the bowlers giving away extra runs in the first innings and the batters not doing enough in the second. He said he took ‘full ownership’ for the loss.
“It is disappointing when you lose," he said. “If we have to be honest, on the field, we gave away 10-15 runs on that wicket. I have always enjoyed my bowling (on his fifer). I don’t think I have many options. I try to read the wicket and try some smart options. I dont try to go for wickets. I try to bowl dot balls and let the batters take risks. I think as a batting unit, we fell short. We win as a team. We lose as a team. Don’t want to point someone out. The ownership has to be taken by the whole batting unit. I take full ownership."
MI have now lost three of their first four matches. How can they turn it around?
“Just play good cricket," Pandya said. “I like to keep it simple. Take better calls. Be smart in bowling. Take chances in batting. Play simple cricket with some aggression. As it is a long tournament, couple of wins and we might get into the rhythm."
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