‘IPL should be the crown jewel for…’ – Dinesh Karthik backs BCCI for not allowing Indian players to take part in overseas leagues

Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has thrown his weight behind BCCI not allowing their players being allowed to take part in overseas leagues. Karthik was recently part of the SA20 league where he was seen playing for Paarl Royals. Indian Cricket board has put a strong rule where only retired players can take part in overseas leagues. 

News18 quoted Karthik as saying, “I am a big believer that the IPL should be the crown jewel for the BCCI and it is, at the moment, in world cricket, And for it to maintain its status quo as number one, I believe that Indian cricketers shouldn’t be allowed unless they are retired.”

Karthik who called time on his IPL career will be seen in RCB’s dugout as one of the coaches. The 39-year-old former India star also added, “They can take the call if they feel they are done with the IPL and move on to play in other leagues. I completely stand with BCCI on that front."

‘IPL is a great platform’ – Dinesh Karthik 

During his chat with News18, former India star Dinesh Karthik said various cricket tournaments in India give players a chance to be secure themselves financially. According to Karthik, the decision to play other leagues should come only after retirement from the game. In the previous few years, the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, and others have taken part in few overseas leagues. 

Karthik said, “I agree you can always argue saying can youngsters be given more opportunities but I think there’s enough and more in India in terms of competition and in ways of being financially secure. And if you are good enough, IPL is a great platform.”

The former India star also added, “There’s domestic cricket and the other franchise leagues that are happening in India right now, as we speak. Cricketers from India should be allowed to play once they retire. I think that’s the right way to go. I believe the SA20, or any other league for that matter, will be more than happy to work with and have a couple of other players, who have retired from the BCCI and from playing for India."