Rajasthan Royals’ Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday became the first player to be retired out in the history of the IPL. Playing against the Lucknow Super Giants, the off-spinner was called off the field in the 19th over of the first innings. His team managed to score 165 runs in the first innings at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. 

Ashwin was promoted to No 6 ahead of hard-hitter Riyan Parag. The off-spinner was batting at 28 runs off 23 balls when he was declared retired out. The 35-year-old had hit two sixes during his stay at the crease. 

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What is retired out? 

In cricket, a player can retire from his innings when the balls is dead. He/she will be replaced by a teammate who is yet to be dismissed. Batsmen are called off due to several reasons like injury, illness etc. These batsmen have the option to resume their innings later. 

However, teams use the method to take off a batsman who is not able to deliver as per team requirements. 

In Ashwin’s case, the Rajasthan Royals might have wanted a Riyan Parag to go out and pinch hit in the last two overs. The 20-year-old could manage eight runs in four balls before being dismissed by Jason Holder. 

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“I literally have no idea about that retire-out decision from Ashwin! It was a good decision in the end… We are in with a very good chance,” Hetmyer said during the innings break when he was asked about his reaction to Ashwin being retired out.

Ravi Ashwin is the fourth batsman to be retired out in cricket history. Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, Bhutan’s Sonam Tobgay and Bangladesh’s Sunzamul Islam being the other three cricketers.

What does the ICC law state:

“A batter may retire at any time during his/her innings when the ball is dead. The umpires, before allowing play to proceed, shall be informed of the reason for a batter retiring.,” states the ICC’s law.