Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar slammed the Mumbai Indians (MI) for their decision to call back Tilak Varna during the crunch stage of the run chase during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The southpaw becomes the fourth player in the history of IPL to retire as MI suffered 12 run loss at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
While chasing, Tilak Varma was playing at 25 off 23 balls before MI called him back. Michell Santner replaced him when seven deliveries left in the contest.
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MI needed 22 runs in the last over to register a win against LSG in IPL 2025. Hardik smashed a six on the first delivery of the last over but failed to complete the chase as LSG won the clash by 12 runs.
Former RCB coach Bangar believes that there was no point in sending out Mitchell Santner as he was not an accomplished hitter who could make up for Tilak Varma's blemish.
"I don't really think it impacted the game in any way. Had he been retired slightly earlier that could have had an effect of how much had to be gotten in the last over. Santner got what? Two balls to face? Maybe Tilak would have got a couple of those particular deliveries. So, it was not as if a Pollard was walking in or something else," Bangar said on ESPNcricinfo.
"What you are doing is that you clearly are sort of putting down one of your top players, and Tilak would be devastated to do that," he added.
MI are off to a forgetful start in IPL 2025; the Hardik Pandya-led franchise managed to win just one clash out of their four outings. The five-time champions are currently seventh in the points table tally. MI will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their upcoming clash which will take place on April 7 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.