MI coach explains why Tilak Varma was retired out, claims “needed someone fresh”

MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene explained why the team was forced to retire hurt a struggling Tilak Varma in the game against LSG

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene dubbed the team’s decision to retire out Tilak Varma as a tactical one. The batter, who was struggling to [score big hits, was taken out of the game just before the last over. While the decision was criticized by many experts, the MI coach has come out in the defense of the team.

Why MI decided to retire out Tilak Verma

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Jayawardene explained that the team needed someone fresh at that point of time. Varma managed to score 25 runs off 23 deliveries before he was pulled out. While captain Hardik Pandya had explained that it was an “obvious” choice, the MI coach has now explained in detail.

“Tilak wanted to get going but couldn’t. Waited till the last few overs hoping that he gets to spend some time there, so he should have been able to get that hit out of the way. I just felt like at the end I just needed some fresh to go and he was struggling. Not nice to take him out but it was a tactical decision,” Jayawardene said.

Coming to bat at number five, Tilak was a bit timid in his approach. While Suryakumar Yadav was batting aggressively at one end, the southpaw was struggling to time the ball.

At number five, Tilak’s record has been superb. Prior to this innings, he made 545 runs at an average of 45.42 and at a strike rate of almost 140. However, it wasn’t the day for a special player, who was retained by MI for Rs 8 crore. Fascinatingly, when MI needed 24 off the last 7 balls, Tilak Varma retired himself out, becoming only the fourth batter to do so in IPL history.