'Given an opportunity, why not?' - Dinesh Karthik expresses desire to play in The Hundred

The participation of Indian players in foreign leagues has come into question once again. Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who is currently in the United Kingdom, commentating for Sky Sports has expressed his desire to play in The Hundred. Despite expressing his desire to play in the newly invented format, Karthik also acknowledged that was not possible considering the current rules in place.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not allowed its men cricketers to play in the foreign leagues. On the contrary, Indian women’s cricketers have previously taken part in the Big Bash League and the now-defunct Women’s Super League. Recently, BCCI issued NOC (No Objection Certificates) to five women cricketers – Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Deepti Sharma to take part in the Women’s Hundred. 

While expressing his desire, Karthik also stated that there are players like Suresh Raina and Robin Uthappa who also share the opinion about wanting to play in the foreign league. Though Tamil Nadu-born keeper seems to have made peace with the BCCI’s ruling, it seems fairly optimistic that there could be a time when the players might be allowed to take part.

With the rules in place, I’m very happy following them, we represent the BCCI: Dinesh Karthik

“Given an opportunity, why not? But because of the rules that are in place right now, we are not able to come to 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,” Karthik told The Guardian. 

The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, who plays in the IPL currently, knows that he won’t be able to take part in the Hundred until he gives that up. Previously, players like Pravin Tambe have been banned from the IPL because they took part in foreign leagues. On top of that, Harbhajan Singh whose name had popped up in the initial draft of the Hundred had to leave his name out eventually, in order to continue playing in the IPL. 

“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,” Karthik added.