Tilak Varma was batting on 25 runs from 23 balls, including two boundaries, when he retired out. With just 7 balls left in the match and Mumbai Indians needing 24 runs to win, Tilak decided to walk off the field and let Mitchell Santner take his place against Lucknow Super Giants.
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Unfortunately, the gamble didn’t pay off, as Santner only got to face two deliveries and couldn’t make a difference, and MI ended up losing the match by 12 runs while chasing a tough target of 204. However, Jayawardene defended his call and appreciated Tilak’s efforts in the middle overs.
It was not easy, but I had to take that call: Mahela Jayawardene after MI's narrow defeat
The MI head coach admitted it wasn’t easy to take Tilak Varma out at that stage, but it was a tactical move to turn the game in their favor. Jayawardene signed off by saying, “When these things happen in cricket, it is not nice to take him out, but I had to do that; it was a tactical decision at that point.”
Hardik Pandya echoes coach Jayawardene's sentiments
On the other hand, MI captain Hardik Pandya said, “It was obvious (on Tilak being retired out). We needed some hits. In cricket, some of those days come. When you try, but it doesn't come off.”
Notably, it was Mumbai’s third loss from their four games in the ongoing IPL 2025. With their narrow 12-run loss to LSG, the MI found itself in the seventh position in the points table. They will next face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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