Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has raised questions about the growing use of the ‘retired out’ tactic in the IPL, saying it seems more like an act of frustration than a smart move. He made these remarks after Chennai Super Kings retired out opener Devon Conway during their match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on Tuesday in IPL 2025.

Devon Conway was batting well and had scored 69 runs off 49 balls, but he walked off in the 18th over as CSK chased a big target of 220. Ravindra Jadeja came in with 49 runs still needed from just 13 balls. The plan didn’t work, and CSK lost the match by 18 runs. This wasn’t the first time this season a team tried this. Earlier, Mumbai Indians retired out Tilak Varma during a game against Lucknow Super Giants and they ended up losing too.

Player	Opponent	Venue	Year
R Ashwin	LSG	Wankhede	2022
Atharva Taide	DC	Dharamshala	2023
Sai Sudharsan	MI	Ahmedabad	2023
Tilak Varma	LSG	Lucknow	2025
Devon Conway	PBKS	Mullanpur	2025

Teams using retired out option more out of frustration. it is a tactic that rarely works as there are very few batters who can hit a 6 on first ball they face. Most times it is the struggling batsman on crease who has a better chance of winning the game. Remember Tewatia, he hit…

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 9, 2025

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Kaif shared his thoughts on twitter, saying, “Teams are using the retired out option more out of frustration. It rarely works because very few players can hit a six on the first ball they face. Often, even a struggling batter who’s already set might have a better chance. Remember Tewatia? He had scored only 8 from 19 balls, but then smashed 5 sixes in one over.” Kaif’s comments have once again started a debate on whether the retired out tactic is a clever strategy or just a desperate move when things aren’t going well.