'T20 is more a team game much like football' - Ravi Ashwin explains his decision to retire out

Ravichandran Ashwin gained all the attention during his team’s match against the Lucknow Super Giants in the 20^th match of IPL 2022 when he decided to retire out in the first innings. He became the first batter in the history of the IPL to get out in such a fashion, and just the fourth cricketer in T20Is. The move proved to be right as Riyan Parag walked in and hit a huge six to take the team’s score higher.

According to the rules, a retiring hitter can only bat again if the next-to-come player is unwell or injured, and the opponent team has no objection to it. Law 25.4.3 states that: “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’.”

Ashwin scored 28 runs in 23 balls before retiring out, and left the whole fraternity talking about the matter. He finally opened up about the incident, as while speaking to Cricbuzz, Ashwin said: “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 then went on to connect the scenario with a football situation as he added: “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.”

Kumar Sangakkara opines about Ashwin retiring out

After the game, Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara revealed that the decision was taken jointly by the management as well as the player, as Ashwin’s consent was taken into consideration. “Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well, and we had discussed it just before that, as to what we would do,” Sangakkara had said.

“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,” he added.