IPL 2025: Jayawardene Discusses Tactical Decisions in Modern Cricket
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Synopsis
In IPL 2025, head coach Mahela Jayawardene defends his tactical choice to have Tilak Varma 'injured-out' against Lucknow. He emphasizes modern cricket's strategic nature, addressing critiques from former players and clarifying the decision's rationale.
Key Takeaways
- Mahela Jayawardene defends his tactical decisions.
- Tilak Varma was struggling against the bowling attack.
- Modern cricket requires strategic adjustments in batting orders.
- Jayawardene values Varma's contributions in critical moments.
- Criticism from former players highlights the pressure of coaching decisions.
Mumbai, April 6 (NationPress) Amidst the ongoing discussions regarding his choice to have Tilak Varma 'injured-out' during the Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has reiterated his justification for the move.
With the Mumbai Indians needing rapid runs in their pursuit of 204 runs at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, the team management instructed Varma, who was finding it challenging to connect with the ball and had only managed to accumulate 25 runs off 23 balls, to return to the dugout while bringing in Mitchell Santner to hit some big shots.
Mumbai ultimately fell short by 12 runs, and the decision sparked significant backlash on social media, with several former Indian players criticizing it as a major error by MI that could affect player morale.
However, prior to their next match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Jayawardene defended the tactic, asserting that modern cricket has become increasingly strategic.
“I understand that the controversy has been fueled by many. Yet, the contemporary game is far more tactical. We frequently adjust our batting order to counter specific bowling line-ups, and I don't perceive this as being any different,” Jayawardene stated at the pre-match press conference ahead of the RCB game.
He explained that Tilak Varma was struggling to make impactful hits, and the opposing bowlers were performing effectively against him, prompting the decision to send in Santner.
“As a batsman, I've experienced situations where you step up to bat and encounter difficulties due to the bowlers performing well against you; it's a combination of factors.”
“Varma has contributed significantly for us in the last three matches, often in challenging scenarios where we've lost early wickets. He has been instrumental in building partnerships and guiding us to crucial positions. His experience and what he brings to the game are still highly valued,” he added.
Interestingly, Jayawardene's call left India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav visibly confused, with television cameras capturing his astonished reaction.
