‘It's about being Rajasthan Royals’ – Sanju Samson opens up about Ravi Ashwin’s decision to get tactically retired out

Ravichandran Ashwin achieved a unique feat on Sunday (April 10) as he became the first player to get tactically retired out in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 35-year-old took that decision during Rajasthan Royal’s three-run win over Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Ashwin, who was promoted to bat at number six, played a steady knock of 28 off 23 balls.

With 10 balls left in the innings, the veteran walked off the field and in walked Riyan Parag, who scored eight off four deliveries and supported Shimron Hetmyer at the other end. The decision was sort of fruitful for the Men in Pink as they posted 165/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Notably, Parag was designated to bat ahead of Ashwin but with RR being reduced to 67/4, the veteran all-rounder came in to steady the ship.

We keep trying different things: Sanju Samson

He eventually went back in the 19th over and welcomed Parag in the middle. Explaining the decision after the match, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson revealed that it was a team decision. The wicketkeeper-batter also stated that it has been part of their strategy even before the start of the season.

“We keep trying different things (on Ashwin’s retired-out). Have been talking about it before the season. We thought that if some situation occurs, we can use it. Was a team decision,” Samson said in the post-match presentation. Meanwhile, even Hetmyer wasn’t aware of the strategy as the southpaw admitted being in shock in the mid-innings interview.

Meanwhile, Samson was a happy man at the end of the day as RR jumped back to the top of the team standings. He also heaped praises on leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who took four wickets and put his side in command.

“Chahal is someone who can be given the ball anytime from overs 1-20. He’s the greatest leg-spinner, if I can say, that India’s seen in the present. Thought why not use him more at the end when the pressure is more,” stated Samson.