Bombay High Court Asks Centre for Stand on Allowing OCI Cardholders in BCCI Domestic Cricket
The Bombay High Court on September 10, 2026, directed 12 young Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders to implead the Union Government as a party in their legal challenge against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The petitioners are challenging a resolution passed by the BCCI which mandated that only players holding an Indian passport are eligible to participate in domestic tournaments organized by the board or its affiliated state associations.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna observed that determining whether OCI cardholders can play in BCCI-regulated domestic competitions requires clear input from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Central Government. The bench highlighted that any judicial order on the matter could have far-reaching ramifications regarding athlete eligibility and national sports representation. While clarifying that the court supports young athletes developing their skills, it noted that BCCI-governed tournaments act as key pathways to national team selection. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 14, giving the petitioners time to serve notice to the Union Government.
