[WATCH] IPL 2025: Suryakumar Yadav shocked after MI retire out Tilak Varma for Mitchell Santner vs LSG

Mumbai Indians made a bold decision to retire out Tilak Varma during last night's IPL 2025 clash against Lucknow Super Giants. With just 24 needed off 7 balls in the chase of 204, the five-time champions opted to pull out a set batter and send in Mitchell Santner.

Varma, who was on 25 off 23 balls, had been struggling to find the boundary for a long time. The side, who were in desperate need to up the scoring rate, decided to retire him and bring in Santner. However, the move failed to pay off. The Kiwi managed just 2 runs from 2 balls, and MI eventually fell short by 12 runs behind LSG’s total.

Also Read: IPL history: 4 instances of players being retired out

However, India’s T20I captain and MI star batter Suryakumar Yadav, sitting in the dugout after his dismissal, was visibly confused when Tilak began walking back. The right-hander was baffled by the decision, with head coach Mahela Jayawardene seen explaining to him shortly after. Surya's expression said that he wasn’t convinced.

Watch the video below: 

MI captain Hardik Pandya defended the decision, mentioning it was 'obvious' given Tilak’s struggle to find boundaries. Jayawardene also backed the decision post-match, adding that they gave Tilak enough time in the middle.

"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. Just play good cricket. I like to keep it simple. Take better calls," Hardik said at the post-match press conference.

But the explanation didn’t sit well with many, including former India cricketers like Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, and Irfan Pathan, who questioned the logic of bringing in Santner for just the final seven deliveries. Tilak became just the fourth batter in IPL history to be retired out, joining the likes of Ravi Ashwin, Atharva Taide, and Sai Sudharsan.

“If it was for Pollard or some other accomplished hitter, I would have understood. But not like this," Harbhajan said. “Tilak Verma retired out, and Santner coming in? Doesn’t make sense to me. What do you guys think?” Pathan tweeted.