'Very odd': CSK criticised for retiring out Ayush Mhatre on 59 off 36

NEW DELHI: Chennai Super Kings pulled disconnected a uncommon and arguable tactical determination during their IPL 2026 clash against Delhi Capitals astatine the MA Chidambaram Stadium successful Chennai connected Saturday, leaving fans stunned. In the last overs of a high-scoring innings astatine Chepauk, CSK decided to discontinue retired youngster Ayush Mhatre contempt him scoring a fluent 59, a telephone that rapidly sparked statement crossed societal media.Mhatre had played a cardinal relation successful gathering the innings, striking 59 disconnected 36 balls with a premix of controlled aggression and astute changeable selection.

He shared a beardown concern with Sanju Samson, who went connected to people a blistering unbeaten 115, arsenic CSK piled up an imposing 212/2 successful their 20 overs.

With momentum firmly successful their favour, the determination to discontinue Mhatre successful the 18th implicit raised eyebrows.As Mhatre walked off, helium was patted connected the backmost by teammates. Power-hitter Shivam Dube walked successful immediately, signalling CSK’s intent to maximise runs successful the decease overs with a much assertive enactment astatine the crease. Dube delivered a speedy cameo, scoring 20 disconnected conscionable 10 balls, helping CSK support their scoring complaint supra 10 per over.

However, the determination didn’t beryllium good with fans. Social media was flooded with reactions, galore calling the determination “very odd” and questioning wherefore a well-set batter was taken disconnected astatine a important stage.

While retire-outs person been utilized tactically successful the IPL before, it remains a uncommon sight, particularly erstwhile a batter is nearing a bigger milestone oregon is already scoring astatine a brisk pace.This was the latest summation to a abbreviated database of retire-outs successful IPL history, which includes players similar Ravichandran Ashwin, Atharva Taide, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, and Devon Conway. Still, Mhatre’s lawsuit stood retired owed to the lucifer concern and his coagulated contribution.