Fabled Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin scripted history on Sunday (April 11) night during the game against the Lucknow Super Giants as he became the first batter in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be 'retired out'.
Ashwin, who has scored a priceless 23-ball 28 during a crucial fifth wicket-stand with Shimron Hetmyer, walked back to the dressing room with ten balls in the innings to spare.
The idea behind the move by Ashwin and the Rajasthan Royals management was to get a specialist batter in Riyan Parag in the middle.
Parag hammered a six during his 4-ball 8 while Hetmyer carried on his blitz to help the Royals rack up 166 in 20 overs.
This is the first time a batter has 'retired out' in the IPL, and the move has garnered much attention. It is understood that the ICC is mulling over introducing the concept in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
According to the rules, a batsman is declared 'retired out' if he decides to walk back to the dressing room without the consent of the fielding umpire.
Law 25.4.3 states: "If a batter retires for any reason other than (injury or illness) ... the innings of that batter may be resumed only with the consent of the opposing captain. If for any reason his/her innings is not resumed, that batter is to be recorded as 'Retired - out'."
Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara was all praise for Ashwin following Rajasthan's three-run win over Lucknow.
Speaking to the media after the game, Sangakkara said that it was Ashwin himself who was asking from the field as to when he should retire.
Sangakkara revealed that Ashwin and the management had discussed the ploy during the innings.
"Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well, and we had discussed it just before that, as to what we would do," Sangakkara said.
"I thought the way Ashwin handled that situation, walking in (in the 10th over) under pressure, the way he batted to support the team. And then finally, (he) sacrificed himself in terms of being retired out, (which) was just magnificent. And then he went out in the field and backed it up with an excellent, excellent bowling effort," he added.
As it turned out, Rajasthan eventually defended their total of 166 thanks to brilliant powerplay and middle-over bowling by Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal, respectively and a fantastic final over by Kuldeep Sen, who defended 15 against a rampaging Marcus Stoinis.
'Retire out' concept has been previously employed in Test series by the West Indies and Sri Lanka in 1982/83 and 2001, respectively.
The Sydney Sixers also employed it in the final of the recent Big Bash League season.