R. Ashwin of Rajasthan first batter, retired-out in IPL

Mumbai, April 11: Rajasthan Royals (RR) and India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has become the first batter to be tactically retired out in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) here at Wankhede Stadium. Ashwin played a crucial knock of 28-run off 23 balls against Lucknow on Sunday, before he walked back in the penultimate over of the match, which RR won by 3 runs. The Royals elevated India all-rounder R Ashwin up their batting order, but then decided to retire him out during the penultimate over as they chased quick runs in their match against the Super Giants. The tactic saw Riyan Parag come to the crease with 10 balls remaining to replace Ashwin and he helped RR post a winning score of 165/6 from their 20 overs. As per Law 25.4.3 states, in part: “If a batter retires for any reason other than (injury or illness) … the innings of that batter may be resumed only with the consent of the opposing captain. If for any reason his/her innings is not resumed, that batter is to be recorded as ‘Retired-out’.” RR coach Kumar Sangakkara praised Ashwin for his role in the victory and the sacrifice he made for his team by retiring his innings in the 19th over. “Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well, and we had discussed it just before that, as to what we would do,” Sangakkara said in a post-match press conference. “I thought the way Ashwin handled that situation, walking in (in the 10th over) under pressure, the way he batted to support the team. And then finally, sacrificed himself in terms of being retired out, was just magnificent. And then he went out in the field and backed it up with an excellent, excellent bowling effort,” he added. This tactic was also successfully used by the Sydney Sixers during the final of Australia’s Big Bash League earlier this year. On that occasion, the Sixers decided to retire injured batter Jordan Silk with two runs required from the final delivery as Jay Lenton came to the crease to help scramble the winning runs. UNI