IPL 2025: Was retiring Tilak Varma out the right decision by MI against LSG in IPL 2025? Explained

Mumbai, Maharashtra: Hardik Pandya's decision to retire out set batter Tilak Varma (23 balls) during Mumbai Indians' crunch match has ignited fresh controversy, exposing the captain's struggling leadership amid MI's dismal season.

When Varma walked off unexpectedly, commentators revealed he'd been "retired out" for slow strike rate - despite being set at the crease. The move baffled fans. Unrepentant about his decision, Hardik Pandya tried to chase down 22 runs in the last over himself but failed miserably.

He didn’t even take a single or give Santner the strike. So why did he send Santner ahead of Tilak when he had to play the last over? After enduring boos last year, he worked hard to win back praise, though he still somehow faces criticism.

Also Read | Hardik wants to prove a point with bat and ball, says Rohit Sharma

Though Pandya claimed collective responsibility post-match ("We lose as a team"), his decisions have increasingly isolated him. The retirement-out episode follows earlier fan boos and visible dissent from Suryakumar Yadav.

Why does Pandya dread the end of his tenure as Mumbai Indians' captain? Yet no one can deny his performance. Hardik took five wickets while conceding just 36 runs - all in the death overs.

With the bat, he scored 28 off 16 balls. Hardik Pandya broke Anil Kumble's 16-year-old record to register the best bowling figures by a captain in the history of the T20 tournament.

Also Read | Rohit Sharma feels playing IPL before big tournament is a good thing

But stats do not matter if you don't get wins for your team. Since he became captain, Mumbai Indians' future has been clearly in trouble.

Mumbai Indians could go for SKY instead of Pandya to ease their travails.

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• #Tilak Verma
• #IPL
• #sports
• #cricket
• #Mumbai Indian
• #LSG
• #Rishabh Panth
• #Rohit Sharma