Ravichandran Ashwin’s gritty move shocked the cricketing world but aided Rajasthan’s hunger to win the game as they managed to secure a narrow victory against the Lucknow Super Giants. For the first time in the glittering antiquity of the IPL, a player was retired out and Ashwin pulled this off to make way for a big-hitting Riyan Parag.
After Ashwin’s departure from the middle, Parag came up with a massive hit that allowed the Royals to post a modest total which an excellent display from Yuzvendra Chahal helped them to defend. However, at one point in time, it felt that the Royals may very well be in line for another drubbing.
This is what Ravichandran Ashwin had to say about his decision to get retired out
Going by the MCC rules, Law 25.4.3 states, “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’.”
Before Ashwin left the pitch, his contribution was 28 runs off 23 balls. Despite the runs coming for him, the big hits were stagnant and the strike rate remained well in check, a factor that wins or loses you games in T20. Talking about his decision to retire from the last fixture, Ashwin told Cricbuzz, “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.”
He further drew contrasts with a football match, quoting, “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.”
Rajasthan Royals coach, Kumara Sangakkara was heard quoting about this incident too, as he said, “Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well, and we had discussed it just before that, as to what we would do.”
He would conclude his statement on the note, citing, “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, (he) sacrificed himself in terms of being retired out, (which) was just magnificent. And then he went out in the field and backed it up with an excellent, excellent bowling effort.”
