'Become Indian Citizen': Court Responds As OCI Cricketers Challenge BCCI Rule

The bench was quick to point out that India does not have a shortage of talented cricketers.© BCCI

The Bombay High Court has urged young cricketers holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to consider acquiring Indian citizenship if they wish to represent India, a report said. According to a report in Sportstar, while hearing petitions filed by 12 OCI cardholding young cricketers challenging the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to make an Indian passport mandatory for participation in its tournaments, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna was in favour of adjourning the matter.

The report further stated that the petition, filed by Kavin Kartik, an OCI cardholder, argued that the young cricketers, who live and study in India, only wanted to seek permission to take part in domestic tournaments.

The petitioners' counsel, Kunal Cheema, assisted by advocate Datta Mane, said that their participation would also allow them to become eligible for participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The bench was quick to point out that India does not have a shortage of talented cricketers and further argued that if the OCI cardholders are keen to represent India, then why are they not applying for Indian citizenship?

"Why don't you take Indian citizenship? If you are so desperate to represent India, why don't you become an Indian citizen?" Sportstar quoted Chief Justice Tripathi as saying. He also added that the players should choose between retaining their OCI status and applying for an Indian passport.

The OCI cardholders participated in domestic cricket under the BCCI before the restrictions were implemented in 2023 under the aegis of the apex board.

Senior advocate Dr Birendra Saraf, appearing on behalf of the BCCI, submitted that the Citizenship Amendment Act does not allow OCI cardholders to represent India at the international level and that the petitioners cannot claim cricket as a source of livelihood.

After hearing arguments from the petitioners' counsel, the bench made it clear that it was not compelling the OCI cardholders to change their citizenship.

The court instead asked the BCCI, the Centre and the petitioners to inform it about the current status of citizenship applications filed by the OCI cardholders seeking to become Indian citizens.

The Centre is yet to file an affidavit in the matter, which will now be heard on November 25.

Featured Video Of The Day

CWG 2026 Weightlifting Gold Medallist, Mirabai Chanu Get Hero's Welcome in Delhi