Dinesh Karthik, ODI Cricket
Dinesh Karthik (Image Credit: Twitter)

Last Update on: July 17th, 2021 at 12:41 pm

Senior India cricketer Dinesh Karthik has expressed his desire to play in The Hundred, the upcoming franchise league launched by the ECB. However, he understands that the BCCI rules prohibit him from doing so under certain conditions.

While the BCCI gave NOC to five women cricketers – Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, and Jemimah Rodrigues – to participate in the women’s edition of The Hundred, the men’s cricketers aren’t allowed to play in overseas leagues. For that, they would have to be retired from international cricket, and will not be allowed to play in the IPL as well.

Harbhajan Singh, for example, had registered for the Hundred’s initial draft in 2019 but withdrew after he learned that he would have to sacrifice his IPL contract and retire from international duty to appear in the competition.
Dinesh Karthik-WTC Final (Photo Credit:Sky Sports)
Dinesh Karthik. (Photo Credit: Sky Sports)
Both Dinesh Karthik and Harbhajan Singh though ousted from the national side aren’t officially retired players and are involved in the IPL.
The wicketkeeper who is England for commentary duties also says that a couple of other players – Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa – would also like to feature in this new competition. But at the moment they will accept the BCCI’s rule.

“Given an opportunity, why not? But because of the rules that are in place right now we are not able to come play. But who knows, if things can change, why not? I know a few of the cricketers – the likes of Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa – they have come out and said they would like to play a few other franchise leagues but I don’t think it’s been accepted as of now,” Dinesh Karthik said in an interview with the Guardian.

“So we’ll wait and see. I would love to play. But with the rules in place, I’m very happy following them. We represent the BCCI, we represent the country. Whatever the rules are, I guess we have to follow them at this point in time,” he added.

I do think this Indian team is capable of winning in England: Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik, who has been adored by fans in his new role as a commentator, remains positive about Team India’s chances in the upcoming 5-Test series against England, starting August 4. India last won a Test series in England in 2007, when Dinesh Karthik played a crucial role with the bat; India lost 4-1 on their previous tour in 2018.

Joe Root and Virat Kohli
Joe Root and Virat Kohli (Image Credit: Twitter)

“It’s unconquered territory for some time now. I do think this Indian team is capable of winning here; they have the talent and, most importantly, the attitude. Now it comes down to techniques. It’s a long tour and won’t be won in the first Test, but knowing the belief in that dressing room, I would back an Indian team to do well,” the KKR player opined.

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