In a surprising tactical move during the final over of the high-pressure IPL 2025 clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene made a bold call by asking Tilak Varma to retire out with just one over left in the chase.
At the end of the 19th over, Mumbai were 182/5, still needing 22 runs off 6 balls to chase down LSG’s total of 203/8. Hardik Pandya was batting on 19 off 11, while Tilak Varma, who had been playing a relatively slow knock considering the required run rate, was retired out to bring in Mitchell Santner. Santner, a left-hander with more power-hitting credentials, immediately joined Hardik in the middle for the final six balls.
Tilak walked off with a gesture of acknowledgment, passing on the baton to Santner who was welcomed by a fist bump from Hardik after scoring 25 runs off 23 balls. The move sparked chatter both in the stadium and online, with fans divided over whether the decision was fair to Tilak or a smart cricketing call considering the match situation.
Given the equation—22 needed off 6 with Santner striking at 200 (2 runs off 1 ball)—the strategic swap clearly aimed at boosting finishing power. Tilak’s approach may have cost precious deliveries, and Jayawardene’s decision to try a left-right combination in the last over against Digvesh Singh Rathi could be the difference between victory and defeat.
With the final over underway and the tension sky-high, only time will tell if this calculated risk pays off for Mumbai Indians or backfires in dramatic fashion.
