Why did Tilak Varma retire out? Fans question MI's tactics in 12-run loss to LSG

What just happened? The game between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI) was heading for a thrilling finish, with both teams still in contention. However, in a surprising turn of events after the 18.5th over, Tilak Varma was suddenly seen walking off. It was later confirmed that he had been retired out.

In his place came Mitchell Santner, a capable player, but was he the right finisher for the job? With MI skipper Hardik Pandya at the other end, was it enough to turn the game around? These questions became the center of discussion after MI fell short by 12 runs at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

MI lose by 12 runs

After Tilak Varma's unexpected exit, Santner took two runs, bringing the equation down to 22 off 6 balls. Hardik Pandya, known for his finishing abilities, started the final over with a six, followed by a quick double, reducing the target to 14 off 4¡ªstill achievable.

Game-changing last 2?? overs, ft. Shardul Thakur and Avesh Khan

WATCH ???#TATAIPL | #LSGvMI

¡ª IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 4, 2025

However, Avesh Khan delivered a series of pinpoint yorkers, and Pandya declined a single, leaving MI with too much to do. When the equation reached 13 off the final ball, the camera panned to LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, who was seen smiling and clapping. Meanwhile, Akash Ambani was spotted engaged in an animated discussion with someone.

At the post-match presentation, Hardik Pandya explained the decision: "It was obvious we needed some big hits, and Tilak Varma wasn¡¯t getting them. It was just one of those days for him when things weren't working."

Hardik Pandya said, "it was obvious we needed some hits and Tilak Varma was not getting. It was one of those days for him when it wasn't really working". pic.twitter.com/qKbjNoru0L

¡ª Nishu Gautam (@NishuGautam10) April 4, 2025

Fans question MI's tactics

Soon after, fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their concerns over MI¡¯s decision to retire out Tilak Varma, believing he could have helped salvage the game alongside Hardik.

One wrote, "I couldn¡¯t understand the game after Tilak Varma¡¯s retirement. What was he trying to do?"

I could not understand the game after Tilak Varma's retirement, what did he want

¡ª Mukesh Singh (@MukeshS86227424) April 4, 2025

Another said, "Tilak Varma getting retired out was pretty absurd. MI didn¡¯t have a reliable power hitter left. Even though his knock was a momentum killer, he had already faced 23 balls and had his eye in¡­"

Tilak Varma getting retired out was pretty absurd.

MI didn't have any reliable power hitter on the way.

Even though his knock was a momentum killer, he still faced 23 deliveries and had his eye in...

¡ª Abhai (@Abhai_BTTG) April 4, 2025

One commented, "Retiring a settled batsman like Tilak Varma at this stage was not a good decision."

Retiring a settled Batsman Tilak Varma at this Stage was not a good decision ?

Surya & Hardik Well Played ?#LSGvMI pic.twitter.com/d7rUISyAX5

¡ª Abhishek Singh (@abhisheks0101) April 4, 2025

Another added, "What was the need to retire Tilak Varma out? Even Santner couldn¡¯t do anything¡­"

What was the need of getting Tilak Varma retired out.......?
Even Santner couldn't do anything........

By the way, what to me..... I was supporting LSG. ?#LSGvMI

¡ª Satish Yadav (@Yadavsatish199) April 4, 2025

LSG vs MI: Match summary

Earlier, LSG posted a strong total of 203 runs after being put in to bat. Mitchell Marsh dominated the powerplay, scoring 60 runs and setting up a 76-run opening stand. Despite a brief setback with the dismissals of Marsh, Nicholas Pooran (12 off 6), and Rishabh Pant (2 off 6), Aiden Markram (53 off 38) and Ayush Badoni (30 off 19) rebuilt the innings with a rapid 50+ partnership. David Miller (27 off 14) provided the final flourish.

In response, MI lost both openers in similar fashion, mistiming shots to deep backward square-leg. The promotion of Naman Dhir (46 off 24) to No. 3 proved effective, as he and Suryakumar Yadav (67 off 43) put MI in a strong position. However, Tilak Varma¡¯s slow innings put pressure on SKY, and his dismissal became the game¡¯s turning point. Even the late decision to retire Tilak out came too late to change the outcome, as MI suffered another defeat.

Teams

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ayush Badoni, David Miller, Abdul Samad, Shardul Thakur, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Akash Deep, Avesh Khan
Impact Subs: Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Manimaran Siddharth, Akash Singh

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Ashwani Kumar, Vignesh Puthur, Trent Boult
Impact Subs: Tilak Varma, Corbin Bosch, Robin Minz, Satyanarayana Raju, Karn Sharma

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