In a rare occurrence during IPL 2025, Mumbai Indians' Tilak Varma became just the fourth player in the tournament's history to be retired out.
During the LSG vs MI IPL 2025 Match, Varma stepped aside after scoring 25 off 23 balls to allow a more aggressive batter to take over.
With MI needing 24 runs off just 7 balls, Tilak was replaced by Mitchell Santner in a last-ditch attempt to boost the scoring rate. Here’s a look at the other occasions when a batter was retired out in an IPL match.
28 runs (23 balls) during RR vs LSG, Wankhede, 2022
Promoted to No. 6, R Ashwin scored 28 off 23 before retiring out with 10 balls left to allow Riyan Parag to finish. The move helped RR add 30 runs in the final stretch and secure a narrow three-run win.
55 runs (42 balls) during PBKS vs DC, Dharamsala, 2023
Punjab Kings tactically retired out opener Atharva Taide during a steep 214-run chase to accelerate scoring, but the move didn’t pay off as they fell 15 runs short.
43 balls (31 balls) during GT vs MI, Qualifier 2, Ahmedabad, 2023
Shubman Gill's stunning 129 powered Gujarat Titans to 233/3 in Qualifier 2, with a late tactical retirement of Sudharsan for Rashid Khan helping boost the finish and secure a second consecutive IPL final spot.
23 runs (25 balls) during MI vs LSG, Lucknow, 2025