T20 cricket is fast, unpredictable, and full of surprises. But when players started getting retired out, fans and experts were stunned. “Retired out in the IPL” was something rarely seen or talked about until it became a real tactical move. Unlike ‘retired hurt’, here players leave voluntarily to let someone else bat, purely for team strategy. It has happened only a handful of times in IPL history, but every time it happens, it sparks debates and rewrites the game’s strategy book. Let’s look at the top 5 moments when players were retired out in the IPL.
5. Devon Conway – CSK vs PBKS, Mullanpur, 2025
As of April 9, 2025, there is no record of Devon Conway retiring out during an IPL match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur. In their most recent encounter on April 8, 2025, at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium, PBKS defeated CSK by 18 runs. PBKS’s Priyansh Arya scored a rapid 103 off 42 balls, leading his team to a total of 219-6. In response, CSK’s openers, including Conway, provided a cautious start, reaching 59-0 after six overs, but the team ultimately managed only 201-5 in their 20 overs. There are no reports indicating that Conway Retired Out in the IPL CSK vs PBKS game.
| Player | Devon Conway |
| Match | CSK vs PBKS |
| Venue | Mullanpur |
| Year | 2025 |
| Score at Exit | 69(49 balls) |
| Result | CSK won |
| Strategy | Tactical retirement |
Also Read: Top 10 IPL Players with Most Ducks: Shocking Stats
4. Tilak Varma – LSG vs MI, Lucknow, 2025
In the IPL 2025 match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 4, 2025, at Lucknow, MI’s batsman Tilak Varma made headlines by retiring himself out during the run chase. Introduced as the Impact Player at number five, Tilak struggled to accelerate on a slow surface, scoring 25 runs off 23 balls with just two boundaries. Recognizing the need for more aggressive batting in the crucial final overs, MI opted for a tactical move: Tilak voluntarily retired out in the IPL to allow Mitchell Santner, known for his big-hitting abilities, to take the crease. This strategic decision aimed to boost the scoring rate in the death overs. Despite Santner’s efforts, MI fell short, losing the match by 12 runs. This incident marked only the fourth time a player has been retired out in IPL history, highlighting the evolving tactical approaches teams are adopting in the tournament.
| Player | Tilak Varma |
| Match | MI vs LSG |
| Venue | Lucknow |
| Year | 2025 |
| Score at Exit | 25 (23 balls) |
| Result | MI lost |
| Strategy | Tactical retirement |
3. Sai Sudharsan – GT vs MI, Ahmedabad, 2023
In IPL 2023, Sai Sudharsan became the third player to be retired out in the IPL. Playing for Gujarat Titans against Mumbai Indians, he started his innings well but lost momentum as the innings progressed. He reached 43 from 43 balls but was unable to keep the scoreboard ticking in the death overs. With only 18 balls left in the innings and the team needing at least 40 runs, GT made a smart call. Sudharsan was retired out, and David Miller was sent in. Miller’s arrival helped Gujarat accelerate immediately, scoring at a much faster rate. Although Sudharsan was playing a steady hand, the decision underlined how T20 cricket demands aggressive intent throughout. This moment again highlighted how “retired out in the IPL” had become more accepted and strategic, not something to be embarrassed about. Fans applauded the team-first mindset of the young batsman.
| Player | Sai Sudharsan |
| Match | GT vs MI |
| Venue | Ahmedabad |
| Year | 2023 |
| Score at Exit | 43 (43 balls) |
| Result | GT won |
| Strategy | Tactical retirement |
2. Atharva Taide – PBKS vs DC, Dharamshala, 2023
One of the most talked-about incidents of “retired out in the IPL” occurred in Dharamshala during IPL 2023. Punjab Kings’ Atharva Taide was having a decent outing against Delhi Capitals. He had scored 55 off 42 balls, but with the required run rate climbing, the Punjab dugout needed more firepower. In a surprising move, Taide was retired out, and Liam Livingstone walked in with 4 overs left. Though Livingstone scored quickly, PBKS fell short of the target. But what stood out was Taide’s unselfish decision to step aside for the team’s benefit. This was only the second time someone had been retired out in the IPL, and while it was controversial, it showed that the team’s success was more important than personal milestones. Coaches and commentators praised Taide’s maturity and willingness to put the team first.
| Player | Atharva Taide |
| Match | PBKS vs DC |
| Venue | Dharamshala |
| Year | 2023 |
| Score at Exit | 55 (42 balls) |
| Result | PBKS lost |
| Strategy | Tactical retirement |
1. R Ashwin – RR vs LSG, Wankhede, 2022
The very first player to be retired out in the IPL was none other than Ravichandran Ashwin. It happened during the 2022 season when Rajasthan Royals took on Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede. Ashwin had been promoted up the order and was batting at a decent pace, scoring 28 off 23 balls. With overs running out and big hitters like Riyan Parag waiting in the wings, the RR team management pulled off something unheard of—Ashwin was retired out to bring in a fresh batsman. It shocked the cricket world, but the move paid off as RR added crucial runs in the final overs. Ashwin being retired out in the IPL became a landmark moment. It started a new chapter in T20 strategy and gave courage to other teams to follow the same path. Even though some fans were confused at first, it soon became clear that this was a move made purely in the interest of the team’s success.
| Player | R Ashwin |
| Match | RR vs LSG |
| Venue | Wankhede, Mumbai |
| Year | 2022 |
| Score at Exit | 28 (23 balls) |
| Result | RR won |
| Strategy | Tactical retirement |