Former India batter Mohammad Kaif hit out at Punjab Kings for retiring out batter Atharva Taide in the recently concluded Indian Premier League 2023 Match 64 against Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala. Second batter to be retired out in the IPL, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more teams implementing this rule especially in the T20 format in the future.
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Chasing a 214-run target, PBKS required 86 runs in the last five overs when they decided to bring an end to a 50-ball 78-run second-wicket partnership between Taide and Liam Livingstone (94) by calling the former back to the pavilion. Taide, who scored 55 (42) at a strike rate of 130.95, scored only three fours off DC vice-captain Axar Patel (1/27) in the nine overs that he batted outside of the powerplay.
Kings, who had better power-hitters namely Jitesh Sharma (0), Shahrukh Khan (6) and Sam Curran (2/36 & 11) up their ranks, were right in their thought-process of sacrificing a batter who isn’t known for playing the big shots at will in a must-win encounter.
With Taide’s innings not being in accordance to the required run rate, the team management had to take a call at some point in time. Had the decision worked in their favour tonight, it would’ve set an example for other teams to follow. While neither of the three above mentioned hard-hitters clicked, the team also ended up falling short by 15 runs.
Mohammad Kaif Enraged With Punjab Kings For Retiring Out Atharva Taide
Kaif, however, was of the opinion that Punjab shouldn’t have tinkered with a well-set batter. Citing examples of Gujarat Titans‘ Rahul Tewatia and Kolkata Knight Riders‘ Rinku Singh‘s heroics of the past, Kaif explained how well-set batters can turn the tables in such demanding situations even if the target appears improbable on paper.
Kaif, who didn’t fail to put across this point while calling the match in Hindi for host broadcaster Star Sports Network, reiterated it during a post-match discussion involving former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan.
“Nihayati Raddi Faisla [Extremely bad decision],” Kaif said 3-4 times on Star Sports.
Pathan, meanwhile, mentioned that the home team could’ve opted for such a decision had someone of Livingstone’s calibre was waiting for his turn to bat. According to Pathan, Punjab shouldn’t have sacrificed Taide for the likes of Sharma, Khan and Curran.
