'Shouldn't be allowed': Cricket world divided over historic IPL moment
The cricket world has been left heavily divided after Ravi Ashwin became the first batter 'retired out' in the history of the Indian Premier League on Sunday.
Ashwin was 'retired out' in the Rajasthan Royals' win over Lucknow Super Giants, with the Royals opting to replace Ashwin despite him not being dismissed or injured.
'DISGUSTING': Cricket fans fume over Virat Kohli controversy
'HARDEN UP': Proteas fire back over 'deplorable' Test cricket saga
The Indian all-rounder made a run-a-ball 23 but opted to end his stay at the crease in order to get a better striker in the middle for the final two overs of the innings.
Commentators were initially confused when Ashwin was seen running off the field and Riyan Parag replacing him.
However Aussie great Matthew Hayden described it as a "brilliant" move when they realised what was happening.
Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson said it was a “team decision” to get Parag out to the middle to replace Ashwin.
“It’s about being Rajasthan Royals. We keep trying different things,” Samson said after his team’s three-run victory.
“Have been talking about it before the season.
"We thought that if some situation occurs, we can use it. It was a team decision.”
Shimron Hetmyer, who was at the crease with Ashwin at the time, said: “I had no idea about it (Ashwin’s retirement) - he was also a bit tired.
“It was a good decision, as the kid (Parag) hit a six for us.”
However not everyone was impressed by the move, with some of the opinion that the controversial tactic goes against the spirit of cricket.
The Sydney Sixers sparked controversy when Jordan Silk was retired out during the BBL last season, however on that occasion he was injured and couldn't run.
Perfect that Ashwin is the first one to be retired out. Bet he's among the rare players who would actually understand the thinking behind it#IPL2022 #RRvLSG
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) April 10, 2022
As @ashwinravi99 becomes the first player to retire out in the IPL, I can’t help but think about the time he’s done with his playing days and is heading the ICC men’s Cricket Committee. Imagine the innovations he’ll bring into and for the game #IPL2022
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) April 10, 2022
Don't expect teams to start doing this as a matter of course: still a high-risk move and much easier when an experienced bowler (and a character like Ashwin) is the batter struggling
Even still, a huge moment in T20's tactical evolution— Matt Roller (@mroller98) April 10, 2022
I don’t like this at all. The coaching team and players would have decided for Ashwin to come in then and just because he’s struggling they shouldn’t be able to ‘sub’ him out. Call me traditional but it goes against the fundamentals of cricket https://t.co/ahXjW43Kpw
— Harrison Burridge (@hburridge2) April 10, 2022
So Ashwin Retired Out tonight. Good for him & RR but this rule is a joke. You shouldn't be allowed to do that.
If you allow this nonsense then you should also allow the bowling team to change a bowler mid over if he is getting smacked.#RRvsLSG #LSGvsRR #IPL2022 #CricketTwitter— Derek AB (@DAB_Derek) April 10, 2022
I find it as pointless as the "supersub" concept that was introduced and promptly dropped. What's next - a bowler having a bad over, do you stop him midway... Galli cricket wala baby over hoga? Its misuse will disturb the fabric of a contest - the struggles, the ebbs and flows.
— Priyank Srivastava (@sriv_priyank) April 10, 2022
Ashwin must have set 2 goals in cricket:
- Be leading wicket taker in Test
- All the MCC laws that's written should be used on the field before he retire. #RRvLSG #RetiredOut— ɐsʅɐɯ #RCB ⚓ (@aslamixed) April 10, 2022
Ashwin out there treating cricket like a deep sea expedition. Man's out there discovering something new every other time.
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) April 10, 2022
Retired out?! 🧐 not sure I agree with that
— Bondy (@Bondy32) April 10, 2022
Hetmyer stars as Royals take down Super Giants
Asked to bat first, Rajasthan made 6-165 before Lucknow fell agonisingly short.
Lucknow fell to 1-2 in the first over after Trent Boult (2-30) claimed both his wickets off his first two legitimate balls.
That included the dismissal of captain Lokesh Rahul for a golden duck for the second time this year.
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal ran through the middle-order with 4-41 before Marcus Stoinis threatened to turn the game on its head.
Needing 34 off the last two overs, the Aussie star smacked fast bowler Prasidh Krishna for 19 runs with two straight sixes and a flicked boundary to fine leg.
But Probir Sen kept his nerve in the last over and didn’t concede runs off his second, third and fourth balls before Stoinis hammered a four and a six off the final two deliveries to reduce the margin of defeat.
Hetmyer had held the Rajasthan innings together with a gritty unbeaten 59 off 36 in the second half of the innings.
The West Indian hit six sixes and a four and didn’t spare his countryman Jason Holder in the death overs. Holder returned figures of 2-50, conceding 34 off his last two overs.
with agencies
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.