Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya confirmed that Tilak Varma was retired in the tie against LSG because of a finger injury. MI sparked a row after deciding to pull the batter out in the right before the last over in the run-chase at the Ekana. While coach Jayawardene had claimed that the team needed someone fresh and hence the batter was retired, Pandya has now explained the rationale behind the move.
Why was Tilak Varma retired?
Speaking at the post-match presentation after the loss to RCB, MI’s Pandya explained that retiring Tilak in the previous game was a tactical decision. He further heaped praise on the batter for his knock against RCB, albeit in a losing cause.
“Tilak was fantastic. Last game, a lot of things happened. People made a lot of things about it but people don’t know that he had a very nasty hit previous day. It was a tactical call but because of the finger which he had, the coach just felt that that was a better option that someone fresh can come and do it. Today, he was fantastic,” Hardik said.
In the game against LSG, a struggling Tilak managed just 25 off 23 deliveries. He was retired out just before the last over and Mitchell Santner was sent in to bat. MI went on to lose the game 12 runs.
However, he redeemed himself in the tie against RCB. Tilak raced to 56 off just 29 deliveries, striking 4 fours and sixes each. His partnership with Hardik revived MI’s chances in the run-chase. However, MI suffered a collapse following his departure. Eventually, RCB ended up defeating the home side by 12 runs.
