|| AFP ||

India's Ravichandran Ashwin on Sunday became the first batter in Indian Premier League history to be retired out after he walked off following his 28 for Rajasthan Royals.

Ashwin brought his 23-ball knock to an end in 18.2 overs of the Royals innings against Lucknow Super Giants to allow Riyan Parag join the big-hitting Shimron Hetmyer.

The left-handed Hetmyer smashed an unbeaten 59 off 36 deliveries including six sixes and Parag also got one hit over the fence in his four-ball stay as Royals finished on 165-6.

"I had no idea about it (Ashwin's retirement) - he was also a bit tired," Hetmyer said of Ashwin's rare form of departure. 

"It was a good decision, as the kid (Parag) hit a six for us."

West Indies' cricketer-turned-commentator Ian Bishop tweeted: "Ashwin retired out is fascinating T20 tactics. T20 is causing us to rethink the way we conceive the game in the 21st century."

Batters are allowed to retire at any time of the innings when the ball is dead after informing the umpires, according to cricket rules.