Bombay High Court reviews BCCI eligibility rule for OCI cricketers

The Bombay High Court is reviewing a legal challenge brought by 12 young cricketers holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. The petitioners are contesting a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rule that mandates an Indian passport for participation in domestic tournaments.

The players' counsel argued that access to domestic competitions is essential for building performance records and progressing toward professional opportunities like the Indian Premier League (IPL). They noted that OCI cardholders were previously permitted to participate in such tournaments until the rule change in 2023.

During the hearing, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna questioned why the players would not consider acquiring Indian citizenship if they aimed to represent the country. The court also raised concerns regarding the availability of opportunities for Indian nationals, given the nation's large pool of cricketing talent. The BCCI maintains that the passport requirement is a valid eligibility policy, noting that OCI cardholders are not entitled to represent India internationally.