IPL 2022, RR vs LSG: R Ashwin's 'retired out' was a team decision, says Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson said the decision to withdraw Ravichandran Ashwin 'retired out' in the slog overs was a call made by the team management, taking into consideration the match situation. RR became the first team in IPL history to employ the 'retired out' tactic as Ashwin went back to the dug out despite being 28 not out during their match against Lucknow Super Giants here on Sunday. Ashwin (28 off 23 balls) played a crucial role in rebuilding the RR innings along with Shimron Hetmyer (59 not out off 36 balls) as the duo shared a 68-run stand for the fifth wicket before the off-spinner retiring out with just two overs to go for the innings.

"It's about being Rajasthan Royals (Ashwin's retired-out). We keep trying different things. Have been talking about it before the season," Samson said during the post-match presentation after RR beat LSG by three runs in an IPL thriller. "We thought that if some situation occurs, we can use it. It was a team decision." Ashwin retired out in 18.2 overs, allowing Riyan Parag to come to the crease. "I had no idea about it (Ashwin retiring out). He was also a bit tired. It was a good decision as the kid (Parag) hit a six for us," Hetmyer told official broadcaster, Star Sports after the match. Young Kuldeep Sen impressed on his IPL debut as he took one for 31 and defended 15 runs in the last over to help RR notch up a win. Samson said he had faith in Sen's ability as he had seen him practise the wide yorkers. "Depends on how he has bowled his first three overs. Got the feel that he has done well and he is confident (talking about Kuldeep Sen) to go and execute his wide yorker which he has been working in the off season. "Saw him in Syed Mushtaq and he was nailing his