Sat Apr 12 11:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Former Cricketer Kaif Criticizes IPL’s ‘Retired Out’ Trend
**Mumbai, India** – Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has strongly criticized the increasing use of the “retired out” strategy in IPL 2025, calling it a desperate tactic that rarely succeeds. His comments follow two recent instances where teams controversially sent their well-set batters back to the pavilion.
Mumbai Indians controversially withdrew Tilak Varma (25 runs off 23 balls) when 24 runs were needed off the last seven deliveries, and Chennai Super Kings recalled Devon Conway (69 runs off 49 balls) with 49 runs required from 13 balls against Punjab Kings. Both teams ultimately lost.
Kaif argues that these decisions stem from desperation and highlights the risk of removing a potentially match-winning batter. He cited Rahul Tewatia’s example from 2020, where despite a slow start, he ultimately won the match with five consecutive sixes. Kaif tweeted, “Teams are overusing the ‘retired out’ option due to desperation. It’s a strategy that rarely works, as very few batsmen can hit a six off the first ball. Often, it’s struggling batsmen who win matches. Remember Tewatia, who scored 8 runs off 19 balls before hitting five sixes in five balls!” The former cricketer’s statement underscores the debate surrounding this increasingly contentious tactical decision in the IPL.
First Piper 