With Ravichandran Ashwin becoming the first player to ever “retire out” in the history of the Indian Premier League cricket event, Rajasthan Royals employed a novel strategy in their matchup against Lucknow Super Giants. Rajasthan moved Ashwin up to number six after losing key batsmen Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rassie van der Dussen as they dropped to 67-4 in the tenth over.
Riyan Parag, who was regarded as Rajasthan’s finisher, was demoted in favor of Ashwin to aid in his team’s reconstruction. And then the seasoned all-rounder and the lethal Shimron Hetmyer shared a critical 68-run partnership. However, Ashwin, who is not known for his heavy hitting, retired out with 28 runs at a strike rate of 121.73 in the last over of Rajasthan’s innings.
The number of balls Parag had to try to lift the ante alongside Hetmyer was now at most 10. Furthermore, the 20-year-old scored 8 runs at a strike rate of 200, helping to somewhat support Ashwin’s retirement. Hetmyer ultimately scored 59 runs without being dismissed, as Rajasthan finished with a first-innings total of 165-6.
Former players were generally supportive of the choice. Twitter user Michael Vaughan, a former England captain, wrote: “Retired OUT.. love it.. @rajasthanroyals #IPL2022.” Following the conclusion of the inning, Hetmyer was questioned about the choice and stated: “I have absolutely no information about Ashwin’s decision to withdraw.” I only turned around to see him run away.
In the end, the choice was sound. Ian Bishop, a former West Indies speedster, called it a “writing: “Ashwin retiring out is intriguing T20 tactics. fascinating” We are being forced to reconsider how we view the game in the twenty-first century as a result of T20.” Following the conclusion of the innings, Hetmyer was questioned about the choice and stated.
I have absolutely no information about Ashwin’s decision to withdraw. I only turned around to see him run away. In the end, the choice was sound. Shahid Afridi was the first player to do so after smashing 42 off only 14 balls during a tour match for Pakistan against Northamptonshire. Ashwin is only the fourth player to ever retire out in a T20.
Sunzamul Islam also stepped down from the game between Cumilla Warriors and Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League, while Sonam Tobgay of Bhutan is the only player to have stepped down from a Twenty20 International after doing so against the Maldives in 2019.