Follow UsA few days ago, Mumbai Indians surprised one and all when they retired out Tilak Varma in their unsuccessful run chase against Lucknow Super Giants on April 4 (Friday). Chasing 204, MI were in a bit of a bother, requiring 26 off the last nine balls, with Tilak struggling to find boundaries.
That’s when the MI management decided to retire him out, and bring in new batter Mitchell Santner at the crease. However, even that move didn’t work out, as MI fell 12 runs short of the target. While it was blown out of proportion over the next few days, Tilak finally reacted to the incident, stating that ‘He didn’t take it in a negative way’.
“Nothing, I was just thinking that they have taken the decision for the team’s purpose. So, I was taking it in a positive way and didn’t take it in a negative way. But the main thing is how you take it's more important. So I was thinking it that way,” Tilak told Star Sports after MI’s win against DC on April 13 (Sunday).
As it turned out, that definitely gave Tilak a much-needed push, as the left-hander put on two valuable scores for the franchise in their next two games - 56 vs RCB and 59 vs DC.
“I just want to be comfortable wherever I bat. So I said that to coach and staff that ‘don't worry wherever you play m,e I'm comfortable and I'll give my best,” he added.
Despite the win, MI still find themselves in a tricky position, with just two wins out of their first six games in IPL 2025.