The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) clash at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow saw a rare scene. Aggressive batter Tilak Varma was retired out with just 7 balls remaining in the run chase.
After the game, MI captain Hardik Pandya backed the team's decision. He claimed that retiring Tilak was an obvious choice. With 24 runs needed in the last 7 deliveries, the Mumbai team needed a pinch hitter.
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While Tilak is a highly aggressive batter, the southpaw was finding it hard to play the big shots against LSG. He went on to score just 25 runs from 23 deliveries while managing to hit just 2 boundaries.
With Hardik Pandya on the crease, the MI side brought in Kiwi superstar Mitchell Santner by retiring Tilak Varma.
Hardik Pandya defends MI's decision to retire Tilak Varma
“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.
Tilak Varma, on April 04, became the fourth batter to be retired in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history.
Meanwhile, MI captain Hardik Pandya took full ownership of his team's loss to LSG. Mumbai Indians failed to chase down a target of 204 runs and were handed a 12-run defeat by Rishabh Pant and Co.
“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," Pandya concluded.
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