India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin garnered headlines after he became the first batter to be retired out in the Indian T20 League history during the match between Rajasthan and Lucknow at Wankhede Stadium.
In the match 20 of the Indian T20 League 2022, Rajasthan all-rounder Ashwin was promoted to No. 6 in the batting order ahead of Riyan Parag in the 10th over of the encounter. After playing a crucial cameo of 28 runs off 23 balls, Ashwin walked off the field allowing Parag to join West Indies swashbuckling batter Shimron Hetmyer in the middle.
Parag scored eight runs off four balls while Hetmyer smashed an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls to power Rajasthan to 165/6 in their 20 overs.
“I literally have no idea about that retire-out decision from Ashwin! It was a good decision in the end," Hetmyer said during the innings break.
Speaking on the incident, Rajasthan’s director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara stated that it was Ashwin’s decision to sacrifice his wicket.
“It was the right time to do that. Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well and we had discussed just before that as to what we would do,” Sangakkara revealed.
What is retired out in cricket?
As per the rules laid down by the ICC, a batter may retire at any time of the innings when the ball is dead after informing the umpires.
If a batter retires for any reason other than illness, injury or any other unavoidable circumstances, the batter’s innings can be resumed only with the consent of the opposing captain. If his/her innings cannot be continued, that batter is considered retired out.
What is the difference between retired out and retired hurt?
A retired hurt batter can return to finish off his/her innings, after the fall of the wicket or when a new batter is required.
However, a batter cannot return to the crease when he/she is retired out.
Retired out in cricket is more of a tactical move while retired hurt is a forced move due to injury or illness.
Who are the players to have retired out in cricket?
Ravichandran Ashwin became the fourth batter to have retired out in cricket. The other three cricketers on the list are former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Bhutan’s Sonam Tobgay and Bangladesh’s Sunzamul Islam.
During Pakistan's tour of England, Shahid Afridi was the first player to be retired out in cricket while playing for Pakistanis against Northants in a tour match at the County Ground in Northampton in 2010.
Bhutan’s Sonam Tobgay added his name to the unique list against the Maldives in a T20 international match in 2019 while Cumilla Warriors’ Sunzamul Islam retired out against Chattogram Challengers in Bangladesh Premier League in the same year.
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Featured photo: Indian T20 League
