Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik is happy with the uncapped player rule, which has been introduced by IPL governing council on Saturday. Karthik admitted that the rule has been made only for MS Dhoni. CSK will be able to retain their former skipper as an uncapped player as he hasn’t played any international cricket in the last five years since his retirement in August 2020.

According to new retention rules released by the IPL governing council on Saturday, every franchise can retain a maximum of six players through retention or Right to Match card. 

Dhoni scored 161 runs in 11 innings at an impressive average of 53.67 and a blistering strike rate of 220.54 in IPL 2024 and has been a vital cog in CSK’s wheel since the inception of the tournament.

Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz, “Everybody talks about it. This rule is made for one man and I am for it through and through. This man has been such a major part of what this IPL has been about. If everybody is in a happy place – be it BCCI, be it any of the teams, be it how the league has performed over the years and how it has kept players so happy over the last 15-18 years, this man has played a major role.

“You can ask any TV broadcaster and you will get the answer that when this man steps on the field, the ratings go up. This is a fact. If you are going to do something that is going to help the league, why not? You don’t want to bend and break the rules, but if it’s a fair one, where all teams have been informed and they all feel it’s fair, let’s go ahead. Why not? He is a special cricketer.”

Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings could not qualify for the playoffs in the previous season of the IPL as they finished at fifth place in the standings.

The five-time champions will be determined to retain their core in the upcoming auction.