‘Retired out’ won’t become a new norm in international cricket:Saba Karim says IPL teams may also use the tactic in upcoming season

The ‘retired out’ tactic has already become one of the biggest talking points in cricket this year. Barely a month into 2026, and we have seen as many as eight such instances across all tournaments, both in men’s and women’s cricket. Despite the ‘retired out’ gaining popularity in T20 cricket, Saba Karim feels we won’t see it yet in international cricket. The former Indian cricketer was speaking to reporters on ‘Media Day organised by JioStar’ on the sidelines of the ongoing WPL 2026 tournament. Although the use of retired out is perfectly validated by the laws of the game, it might not be seen for now in international cricket. It is not that this hasn’t happened in international cricket in the past. In August 2025, West Indies’ Roston Chase retired out in a T20I against Pakistan. Just a couple of months earlier, the UAE women’s team retired out all 10 of their batters in a T20 World Cup qualifier to force a result with rain threat looming. Also read: Why Sophie Devine prefers ‘retired out’ over ‘Impact Player’ rule: Gujarat Giants superstar says ‘It’s a good tool to retire people out’ ‘Won’t see it in international cricket’, says Saba Karim on retired out in international cricket The 58-year-old said that although the concept of retiring out players is gaining popularity in modern-day T20 cricket, it might not gain much ground in international cricket, at least for now. “I do have my doubts. It may not happen quickly. The IPL introduced the Impact Player rule a couple of years ago, but the ICC did not introduce that rule for T20Is and even for the World Cup. So I don’t see that kind of a change happening,” he said while answering a question from Bhaskar English. Further highlighting that franchise cricket is eventually domestic cricket where associations can introduce new innovations, the former cricketer added, “I don’t think the ICC as a governing body will bring so many changes at the international level. Accommodating all these changes that are happening across all the franchise leagues will not be easy for ICC. I don’t think we will have this kind of a rule in T20Is in the near future.” At the same time, Karim felt that this ‘retired out’ tactic is very likely to be seen in practice in the upcoming edition of the IPL. He also opined that this move will be seen more and more in T20 cricket if it allows franchises to gain an edge over their opponents. So far, there have been five occasions of batters being retired out in the IPL, with the list featuring Ravi Ashwin (2022), Atharva Taide (2023), Sai Sudharsan (2023), Tilak Varma (2025) and Devon Conway (2025). “I’m sure. Why not? (if we will see ‘retired out’ calls in IPL 2026). Because you see, this modern T20 game is a rapidly changing environment. And it is one format which is changing very, very quickly. I think when the team management have such meetings, they need to be in sync with the demands of the T20 game. And if this kind of rule allows you to get closer allows you to get closer to that kind of requirement in T20 format, so be it,” he said. Karim added, “I think in T20 format, we will see more and more of it. Because all the teams are always trying to be ahead of the opposition. And if you are able to do so, one through your own skill set and through the kind of resources and through such rules, then why not?” However, he also felt that although teams using ‘retired out’ as a tactic might gain popularity, it is important to ensure all the players are informed about these decisions so that it is easily accepted. “It is equally important to have this kind of a conversation in a team meeting so that all the players are onboard with such a decision as and when it comes across to them. That’s how it can be easily accepted by all the individuals on the side,” he said. Also read: WATCH | Pakistan’s savage dig at India reignites ‘handshake controversy’: Despite losing 3 games in a row, PCB stoops to new low in Australia series promo ‘Chance for a batter to introspect’ While retired out is expected to cause disappointment to the player being called off, Karim also sees another side to it. “It is also a good way to introspect on your own game. For instance, if an individual batter has been retired out by the management, it is for that batter to improve on that aspect of the game. So I think it’s good for an individual to do some introspection about the kind of requirements that have to come into that individual’s power-hitting ability. Saba Karim feels DC and UP Warriorz will join RCB in WPL 2026 playoffs The former Indian wicketkeeper also felt that Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz will join Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the WPL 2026 playoffs. RCB is the only team to have booked a spot in the knockout rounds after winning five matches in a row this season. “I think Delhi Capitals have a good chance to qualify for the playoffs. And the way UP Warriorz won their last match, their team also looks strong. Meg Lanning is a good captain with experience and she has also started to make runs. UP also have another key player in Phoebe Litchfield,” he said. Although he felt that defending champions Mumbai Indians cannot be ruled out, he stuck to DC and UP Warriorz as his picks for making the remaining two spots in the playoffs. “I think if Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz play according to their potential, they will qualify.”