IPL 2023: Krunal Pandya was retired hurt or retired out? Memes have the answers

IPL 2023: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain brought up his A-game against Mumbai Indians (MI) in match number 63 of the IPL 2023. With LSG three down for 35 in 6.1 overs, Krunal anchored the innings while Marcus Stoinis played the aggressor role.

The duo stitched together an 82-run partnership off 59 balls before Krunal limped off the field after the completion of the 16th over. As it happened, as Stoinis played the last delivery of the over towards backward point, Krunal set off for a single but was sent back by the Australian.

The southpaw was seen hobbling while attempting to get back in the crease as Suryakumar Yadav missed the direct hit by a whisker. The physio walked in but Krunal decided to walk off due to discomfort.

The cricket rules allow batters to retire themselves out at any point of the innings. But once retired out, the player cannot come out to bat again. In case, the batter is retired hurt, he can come out to bat in the later part of the innings.

The fact that Krunal, who scored 49 off 42, limped off the ground, made it clear that he is retired hurt and not retired out. The extent of Krunal's injury and whether he retired hurt himself deliberately can be debated.

The move could also be a tactical one as the slog overs were to start and an in-form Nicholas Pooran was the best option to partner a firing Stoinis in the middle.

However, fans already made their judgements and came up with hilarious memes after the departure of Krunal.

Krunal Pandya retired hurt just before slog overs... pic.twitter.com/L68p113pHO

— El Niño 🇮🇳 (@suppandiiii) May 16, 2023

Krunal Pandya getting retired hurt so that Pooran can come to bat & hit boundaries : pic.twitter.com/6KRQITEy3l

— Indian Memes (@Theindianmeme) May 16, 2023

The rules permit you to do it! There is no cheating

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) May 16, 2023

Krunal Pandya -

During batting during bowling #LSGvMIpic.twitter.com/vJvVxPHjST

— vaibhav (@Vibs_5) May 16, 2023

Krunal pandya in today's match pic.twitter.com/aN8lb73Yce

— Arun Singh (@ArunTuThikHoGya) May 16, 2023

Lol Krunal pandya Intentionally faked injury😹😹 so that pooran comes in!😹😹

— ᴘʀᴀᴛʜᴍᴇsʜ⁴⁵ (@45Fan_Prathmesh) May 16, 2023

"I was having cramps, I pulled a muscle. I have always been a team player, anything for the team, so happy with the result," the all-rounder revealed after the match.

On the back of unbeaten 89 off 47 LSG posted 177/3 in 20 overs and heroically defended the total by five runs to put themselves on the cusp of IPL 2023 playoffs qualification.

Krunal led LSG marvellously in the second innings and also bowled his quota of four overs and gave away just 27 runs.