Bombay HC Questions OCI Cardholders Over BCCI Passport Rule

The Bombay High Court recently questioned twelve Overseas Citizen of India cardholders challenging a rule enforced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India regarding player eligibility.
The petitioners have challenged the mandate requiring cricketers to hold an Indian passport to participate in domestic tournaments.
During the court proceedings, the bench addressed the legal status of the petitioners and raised a direct query.
The court asked the petitioners, “Why not take Indian citizenship?” during the hearing.
The ongoing legal challenge highlights the complex intersection of sports governance, nationality laws, and the rights of overseas citizens in the country.
The petitioners argue that holding OCI status should not preclude talented athletes from participating in premier domestic cricket competitions.
Legal representatives for the respondents maintain that national sports bodies possess the autonomy to establish residency and citizenship criteria for representation.
The board’s regulation explicitly restricts participation in certain official domestic leagues to citizens holding valid Indian passports.
As the case proceeds, the judiciary is expected to examine whether these eligibility restrictions infringe upon fundamental rights or constitutional guarantees.
The final verdict could potentially impact numerous athletes with overseas citizenship who aspire to build professional careers in domestic Indian cricket.
Further submissions from both legal teams are scheduled as the high court continues its detailed evaluation of the contested sports regulations.