RR vs LSG: R Ashwin becomes 1st batter to be retired out in IPL - Had no idea, says partner Shimron Hetmyer

IPL 2022: Rajasthan Royals became the first franchise in the history of the tournament to employ the 'retired out' tactic as R Ashwin ended his innings while being not out on 28 for RR against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday.

In the era of analysts having a major say in professional cricket, Rajasthan Royals became the first team in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to have a batter retired out. Not retired hurt, but retired out - a tactic with which a batter can be taken out from the middle. Unlike retired hurt, the batter can't come back to bat again in the innings.

R Ashwin became the first batter to be retired out in the IPL as he ran back to the dressing room when batting on 28 off 23 balls for Rajasthan Royals in their IPL 2022 match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

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Ashwin, who was involved in a 68-run stand with Shimron Hetmyer for the 5th wicket was suddenly seen running up the stairs to the dressing room, leaving the viewers surprised. However, the on-air commentators confirmed that Ashwin had indeed been retired hurt.

Ashwin became only the 4th batter in T20 cricket to be retired hurt after Shahid Afridi,Sonam Togbay of Bhutan and Sunzamul Islam of Bangladesh.

Ashwin retired out is fascinating T20 tactics. T20 is causing us to rethink the way we conceive the game of in the 21st century.????

First ever in #IPL history. Retired out, who else but #Ashwin