Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has stirred up controversy recently about the BCCI’s decision to reinstate the ‘uncapped player rule’ in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The provision, which was eliminated in 2021 after it was first used at the competition, has now been reinstated in the most recent set of board rules.

Karthik, however, thinks that MS Dhoni stands to gain the most from the rule’s resuscitation.

“Everyone discusses it. I wholeheartedly support this regulation since it is designed with one individual in mind. This individual has had a huge role in the IPL’s objectives. “This man has played a major role if everyone is happy, whether it’s BCCI, any of the teams, the league’s performance over the years, or the way it’s kept players so happy over the last 15-18 years,” he told Cricbuzz.

“Any TV broadcaster you speak to will tell you that the ratings increase when this guy is on the field. It is a reality that something exists. Why not, if you are going to do something that will benefit the league? While you don’t want to go against the rules, let’s proceed if the regulations are reasonable, all teams have been told, and they all agree that it’s fair. Why not? “He’s a unique cricket player,” he said.

Since the IPL’s inception in 2008, Dhoni has participated in it. He played for Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) even after the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were suspended from the T20 competition for two years. The 43-year-old has captained CSK to five championships.

Dhoni has amassed 5,243 runs with the bat with 24 half-centuries in 264 matches, at an average of 39.13 and a strike rate of 137.54.

The BCCI and IPL have released criteria for the 2025–2027 season, which state that an Indian player would be considered uncapped if they haven’t played for their country for at least five years prior to the forthcoming auction. This basically indicates that under the “uncapped player rule,” each of the 10 teams will be able to choose to keep these individuals.