Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis has confirmed he contemplated the option of tactically retiring himself out late in his team’s innings on May 8 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League 2022.
The South African, who produced a knock of 73 off 50 in RCB’s win, claimed he wanted their designated power-hitter Dinesh Karthik to walk in the innings nearing its close.
Hhowever, the captain couldn’t make the decision for himself as a wicket fell off the second ball of the 19th over and provided Karthik with an opportunity to take the game away from the Sunrisers with his blistering 30 not out in just eight deliveries.
“I was actually trying to get out because I was so tired to get DK in and we were even contemplating, you know, myself retiring,”
the former South Africa international said after the match.
Presenter Harsha Bhogle stopped him at that point and checked if it was “retiring out” that he was referring to?
“Retiring out, yes”,
confirmed the player.
Du Plessis didn’t have to make the decision. But him confirming it was a point of deliberation within his head is a telling sign of how the tactical retire-out, once a taboo subject, is now bedding well into different teams’ thought process.
Teams are now willing to pull their strings and call back the player who may be hurting their progress in a short and sharp game like the T20. Du Plessis’ admission is a huge win for Rajasthan Royals and their premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who together implemented IPL’s first-ever tactical retire-out earlier in the competition.
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Rajasthan decided to call No.6 Ashwin back after his innings of 28 off 23 with 10 balls remaining in the innings to allow their designated hitter Riyan Parag the time to maximise the remaining balls.
As it panned out, even though Parag got out for eight off four, his presence enabled greater freedom for a well-set Shimron Hetmyer, who went on a six-hitting spree and gave RR a par score to defend against Lucknow Super Giants. The Royals eventually won by just three runs.
