Bombay High Court tells OCI cricketers to seek Indian citizenship for BCCI eligibility
Bombay High Court questions why OCI cricketers have not sought Indian citizenship to play domestic cricket under BCCI rules.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna examined petitions from 12 OCI cardholders who are fighting the BCCI’s requirement of an Indian passport for domestic events. The bench suggested that players aiming to represent India should explore Indian citizenship instead.
Counsel for the petitioners said the young cricketers live and study in India and need only domestic appearances to compile records that could open doors to the IPL. They noted the passport rule began in 2023. Chief Justice Tripathi asked why they did not simply become Indian citizens if they were so eager to play for the country. The court asked the BCCI, the Centre and the petitioners to update it on any citizenship applications that have been filed. The next hearing is set for November 25.
CricHubb Take
The court's stance effectively shifts the burden onto the players to choose between their current nationality and a career path that requires Indian citizenship, rather than asking the BCCI to justify why the 2023 rule change was necessary.