Ashwin was retired out after facing just two balls in the 19th over.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) spinner R Ashwin opened up about the team’s decision to retire him out in the 20th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
The match between RR and LSG not only saw an even contest between bat and ball, but it also witnessed one incident that made many praise the Sanju Samson-led franchise for their tactical move.
After RR lost wickets in quick succession, R Ashwin was promoted up the order. The off-spinner played a vital role in rescuing the side’s innings and scored 28 runs in 23 balls. But during the fag end of the innings, the senior Indian player struggled to time the ball and provide support to Shimron Hetmyer, who was going great guns at one end.
Read Also: “Was a team decision”, Samson and Sangakkara on Ashwin's call to tactically retire out
RR management then made a tactical move that stole the limelight. They retired Ashwin out in the 19th over and sent Riyan Parag to bat. The decision paid off too as the youngster smashed six to help his side end the innings on a high.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, R Ashwin talked about RR’s move of retiring him out. He said that it was in the ‘moment thing’ and is an important aspect of the game that they haven’t considered.
"It was an in the moment thing. It's a team game that we often forget in the euphoria. But then it's an important aspect of the game we haven't considered,” R Ashwin said.
Ashwin correlated the scenario with football and said: "T20 is more a team game than we all know. It is almost as much as football. The goal scorers are like your opening batter or wicket-takers. But they are worth it only if your goalkeeper or defenders are ready to do what it takes.”
Earlier, RR skipper Sanju Samson and Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara also talked about their move. They mentioned that it was a team decision that they had discussed ahead of the tournament.
Notably, this move falls under the Law 25.4.3 of the game which states that: “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’.”
(Cricbuzz inputs)