Dinesh Karthik, the ambassador of SA20, has voiced his strong support for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its policy of restricting active Indian cricketers from participating in overseas T20 leagues. The former Indian wicketkeeper-batter, who retired from international cricket last year, believes this restriction is necessary to preserve the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) status as the premier T20 competition in the world.
Responding to a query during a media interaction, Dinesh Karthik emphasized that the IPL is the crown jewel of world cricket, and its dominance must be safeguarded. “I firmly believe that the IPL should maintain its status as the number one league. For that to happen, Indian cricketers should not be allowed to play in overseas leagues unless they are retired. Once a player feels they are done with the IPL, they can choose to explore other leagues, but while actively playing in India, the focus should remain on domestic cricket and the IPL,” he stated.
Dinesh Karthik acknowledged that arguments can be made about providing younger players with opportunities abroad but asserted that Indian cricket already offers enough competitive platforms. “There is no shortage of competition in India. Young players have domestic cricket, IPL, and other franchise leagues within the country. If a cricketer is good enough, they will get their chances. The rule of allowing participation only after retirement is the right approach, and I believe leagues like SA20 or others would welcome retired Indian players into their fold,” he added.
Having become the first Indian player to feature in South Africa’s top T20 tournament, Karthik played for the Paarl Royals in the 2025 season. He batted eight times in 11 matches, scoring 130 runs at a strike rate of 121.49. Alongside his on-field role, he also took on ambassadorial duties, attended press events, and contributed as a commentator.
As discussions around Indian players in foreign leagues continue, Karthik’s stance aligns with the BCCI’s vision of keeping the IPL at the heart of global franchise cricket, ensuring that its influence and dominance remain unchallenged.
