Tilak Varma’s Retirement Out: What Happened?

The Mumbai Indians made headlines in IPL 2025 when they retired out their promising left-handed batter, Tilak Varma, during a high-pressure match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). On April 5, with the game hanging in the balance and Mumbai chasing a massive 204, Varma was swapped out for Mitchell Santner with just seven balls left in the innings. Mumbai still needed 24 runs off those seven deliveries, and five wickets were in hand, but the move left everyone stunned—pundits, fans, and even Varma himself.

Retired out isn’t something you see in cricket every day. It’s been used only three times before in the IPL, making Varma’s exit a rare moment in the tournament’s history. At that point, Varma was batting on 25 from 23 balls. He’d found it tough to hit out, struggling to really connect and push Mumbai towards the impossible win. With the asking rate skyrocketing, Mumbai’s think tank turned to Santner, hoping he’d add instant firepower in the dying moments of the chase.

Why Did Mumbai Indians Make This Call?

The logic behind the move? According to MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene, it was all about tactics—and a bit of concern for Varma’s health. Jayawardene explained that Varma, carrying a finger injury, “couldn’t accelerate” at the critical juncture. “This is a fast game, and sometimes you need someone who can go from ball one,” Jayawardene said in the post-match chat. He insisted the decision wasn’t a slight on Varma’s ability. In tough moments before, Varma had excelled, but this time the combination of his injury and the game situation forced the management’s hand.

Varma himself told reporters he wanted to keep batting. He admitted, “I told the coach and staff that I wanted to continue, but they made the call.” His willingness reflects the fighting spirit young players bring to the IPL. But with Mumbai’s playoff hopes on the line, the team went for a bold strategy. Unfortunately for MI, the gamble didn’t pay off; they fell 12 runs short of the target, and talk about the move overshadowed the actual cricket.

• This was only the fourth instance of a batter being retired out in IPL history.
• The timing—in the penultimate over with MI still alive in the contest—made it especially dramatic.
• Social media erupted, with #RetiredOut trending and former players weighing in. Critics argued that retiring an established batter sends the wrong message about player confidence and team unity.

Plenty of fans voiced concern that such tactics could dent a young player’s morale. Some even wondered if the IPL’s focus on innovation had gone too far. Jayawardene, though, stood firm in his explanation, defending the team-first approach.

For Varma, the story didn’t end with controversy. In MI’s next match against Delhi Capitals, he smashed a quickfire 59 off just 33 balls. It was the perfect response, a statement that he wasn’t rattled by management’s late-game decision. Instead, he showed resilience—the same quality that’s made him a fan favorite and a vital cog for MI.

The retired out drama has fueled larger conversations about strategy in T20 cricket. While rare, such moves show how far teams will go to chase victory, even if it means shaking up tradition. With IPL 2025 already producing dramatic moments, it’s clear that innovation—and the debate it sparks—isn’t going anywhere soon.