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Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has defended its decision to bar a specific category of players from participating in domestic tournaments, telling the Bombay High Court that only Indian citizens are eligible to compete in BCCI-organised competitions. The matter came up during the hearing of a petition filed by a group of young cricketers holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, who have challenged the board's 2023 resolution.
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The BCCI also reiterated before the court that only Indian nationals can be selected to represent the country at the international level.
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Why BCCI is opposing participation of OCI cardholders
During the hearing before a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad, the BCCI clarified that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders are not permitted to participate in domestic tournaments conducted by the board.
The petition challenging the decision was filed by 12 young cricketers holding OCI cards, who argued that the 2023 resolution declaring foreign passport holders, including OCI and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders, ineligible for domestic cricket was arbitrary and discriminatory.
According to the petitioners, OCI cardholders were previously allowed to participate in BCCI tournaments, and the sudden change in eligibility criteria violated Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.
The BCCI, however, maintained that the policy was a collective decision taken by the board and had already informed OCI cardholders that they would become eligible to participate if they obtained Indian citizenship. The board further emphasised before the High Court that only Indian nationals are considered for selection to represent India in international cricket.
Petitioners cite discrimination, court seeks detailed submissions
The petitioners told the High Court that several of them have lived, trained, and competed in India for years and have already applied for Indian citizenship, although their applications remain pending.
They argued that preventing OCI cardholders from playing domestic cricket amounted to discrimination, especially since their families have been residing in India and contributing to the country through taxes. According to the petition, forcing aspiring cricketers to move abroad to pursue their sporting careers would place a significant financial burden on their families.
During the hearing, the Bombay High Court observed that the petitioners could potentially have better opportunities by continuing their cricket careers overseas before returning to India later if they wished.
The bench remarked that cricket in India is highly competitive and suggested the players could explore opportunities abroad, while acknowledging that citizenship-related issues were separate from the sporting dispute.
After hearing both sides, the court directed the BCCI and the petitioners to file written submissions, stating that the matter required detailed consideration. The case has now been posted for its next hearing on August 13, when the Bombay High Court is expected to continue examining the legality of the BCCI's eligibility policy for OCI cardholders.
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