Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik has broken the silence on the most-talked-about IPL rule mentioned in the latest regulations issued by the BCCI – the return of the ‘uncapped player rule’. Karthik says this rule, which was there since the tournament’s inception and later discarded in 2021, is brought back by the board for just one man, MS Dhoni.
What does this ‘uncapped player rule’ mean?
Per the BCCI and IPL’s latest guidelines issued for the 2025-2027 window, any Indian player who last appeared for the national side at least five years ago to the upcoming auction date will be considered an uncapped player and can be retained under the ‘uncapped player rule’ by each of the ten franchises.
Although not many options are available with each team, the former five-time winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have a golden chance to retain their ex-captain and marquee player MS Dhoni under the ‘uncapped player category’ ahead of the mega auction later this year.
Dhoni last played for India during the 2019 World Cup in England, and with him already completing more than five years since, he is eligible to fall under this bracket. What’s more than this? CSK doesn’t have to splurge money on his retention since his IPL future remains uncertain and can retain him for INR 4 crore.
What did Karthik say?
Dinesh Karthik, who last played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2024, said he understands why this rule has been brought back, and that, he understands the dynamics behind it.
“Everybody talks about it. This rule is made for one man, and I am for it through and through. This man has been such a major part of what this IPL has been about. If everybody is in a happy place – be it BCCI, be it any of the teams, be it how the league has performed over the years and how it has kept players so happy over the last 15-18 years, this man has played a major role,” Karthik said during an interaction on Cricbuzz.
“You can ask any TV broadcaster, and you will get the answer that when this man steps on the field, the ratings go up. This is a fact. If you are going to do something that is going to help the league, why not? You don’t want to bend and break the rules, but if it’s a fair one, where all teams have been informed, and they all feel it’s fair, let’s go ahead. Why not? He is a special cricketer,” he continued.
(With inputs from agencies)