Hardik Pandya backed the call to retire out Tilak Varma and took full responsibility after MI’s 12-run loss to LSG.
Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya stood firmly behind the team’s decision to retire out Tilak Varma during their IPL 2025 clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), calling it an “obvious” move. MI lost the high-pressure game by 12 runs in the final over, with Pandya remaining unbeaten on 28 off 16 deliveries.
Tilak Varma, who struggled for timing during the chase of 192, was batting at 25 off 23 balls with just two boundaries. With 24 runs needed off the last seven balls, MI asked him to return to the pavilion in the 19th over, making him only the fourth player in IPL history to be retired out.
“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, as quoted by Cricbuzz. Before Tilak, only Ravichandran Ashwin (2022), Atharva Taide (2023), and Sai Sudharsan (2023) had been retired out in the IPL.
During the moment of decision, MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene was seen in discussion with Suryakumar Yadav, who appeared visibly unhappy with the call.
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Pandya, who also picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings, accepted complete responsibility for the defeat. “It is disappointing when you lose. 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 don’t 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,” says Pandya.
Mumbai have now lost three of their first four matches in IPL 2025 and are under pressure to bounce back.
When asked about how MI can recover, Pandya said: “Just play good cricket. I like to keep it simple. Take better calls. Be smart in bowling. Take chances in batting. Play simple cricket with some aggression. As it is a long tournament, couple of wins and we might get into the rhythm.”
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