Supreme Court slams BCCI for monopoly:Says, ‘Tail is wagging the dog since there is money involved’ on issue of cricket team labelled ‘Team India’

The Supreme Court has stated that BCCI’s control over cricket in India has now also received legal recognition. This remark came during the hearing of a petition that demanded that the Indian cricket team be prevented from being called ‘Indian Team’ or ‘Team India’. During Thursday’s hearing, Justice Joymalya Bagchi commented, “Issue would have been if the union came here, but there is exemplary support for them. The pervasive control is statutorily recognised now. The issue is sometimes the tail is wagging the dog since there is money involved.” His reference was to the fact that money and power in cricket have become so immense that the question arises as to who truly holds the control. ‘BCCI is not a government body’: Justice Suryakant The hearing of this case was being conducted by a bench headed by Chief Justice (CJI) Justice Suryakant. The petitioner argued that BCCI is a private body, registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. He argued that BCCI is neither a government body nor does it fall under the category of a state under Article 12 of the Constitution, and therefore, it should not have the right to call the Indian cricket team the national team. However, the court did not seem to agree with this argument. Justice Joymalya Bagchi stated that currently, BCCI’s influence and control over Indian cricket have been accepted not only practically but also legally. He also clarified that BCCI receives full support from the government, which further strengthens its role. Also Read: Babar Azam, Rizwan trapped in about ₹100 crore Ponzi scheme:PCB kicks in after several Pakistani cricketers at risk of losing millions Supreme Court quashes the appeal, saying, ‘Don’t burden the court’ The Supreme Court dismissed this petition, calling it ‘frivolous’. The court severely reprimanded the petitioner and warned that heavy fines could also be imposed in such cases. During the hearing, Justice Suryakant expressed displeasure, saying, “You just start sitting at home and draft petitions. What is the problem with all of this? There is a notification for the National Sports Tribunal, also with outstanding members. Don’t burden the Court.” The Delhi High Court also dismissed the petition earlier Earlier, in October 2025, the Delhi High Court had also dismissed the same petition. At that time, the court had severely reprimanded the petitioner’s lawyer, Reepak Kansal. The High Court had questioned whether you want to say that the team representing India worldwide is not India’s team. The court had clearly stated that objecting to calling the team that is bringing glory to the country on the international stage ‘Team India’ is meaningless. The then Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, D.K. Upadhyay, had called this petition a complete waste of the court’s time. He had asked, giving examples, whether the government itself selects the teams for the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, or hockey, football, and tennis, yet they represent India. BCCI does not receive funds from the government The petition also argued that, according to the Ministry of Sports’ RTI responses, BCCI has neither received recognition as a National Sports Federation nor does it receive any funds from the government. Despite this, government media platforms refer to the cricket team as Team India and national symbols like the Indian flag are used during matches. However, both the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court made it clear that this issue is futile and unnecessary, and there is no need to pursue it further.