Delhi High Court dismisses plea to rename Indian cricket team
In a sharp rebuke to a legal challenge questioning the legitimacy of the Indian cricket team being referred to as “Team India,” the Delhi High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Reepak Kansal, calling it a “sheer wastage of time.”
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela not only rejected the petition but also strongly defended the symbolic and practical role the BCCI-selected cricket team plays in representing the nation.
Petitioner claimed misrepresentation of national symbols
Kansal’s PIL argued that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as a private entity registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, is not a statutory body nor recognized as a National Sports Federation (NSF) by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. He cited multiple RTI responses confirming that the BCCI does not receive government funding or formal recognition, yet its team continues to be referred to by the government, media, and public as the “Indian cricket team” or “Team India.”
The plea stated:
“This practice amounts to misrepresentation and could potentially violate the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Flag Code of India, 2002, which regulate the use of the national name, flag and symbols.”
Kansal also sought to restrain national broadcaster Prasar Bharati from using national identifiers when covering BCCI cricket matches, arguing that the use of national symbols by a privately governed team misleads the public and undermines constitutional propriety.
Judges reject argument, affirm cricket team’s national status
The High Court Bench was quick to dismiss Kansal’s claims, challenging the very basis of the petition and defending the cricket team’s legitimacy as a national representative.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela questioned the premise directly:
“Are you saying the team doesn’t represent India? This team, which is going everywhere and representing India, you are saying they don’t represent India?. Is it not Team India? If it is not Team India, please tell us why is it not Team India.”
Chief Justice Upadhyaya echoed the sentiment and criticized the use of judicial time on the matter:
“It is sheer wastage of the court’s time and your own time… Tell us about a national team, in a single sport which is selected by the government officials. Whether the Indian contingent taking part in the Commonwealth Games, Olympics… Are they selected by the government officials? Do they not represent India? Hockey, football, tennis, anything, any sport.”
Use of national flag and symbols not exclusive to state actors
The Court also addressed the claim that use of the national flag and other symbols by the cricket team was in violation of existing law.
“If you want to unfurl a flag in your house, are you prohibited from doing so?” the Bench asked, emphasizing that such symbolic acts are not the exclusive domain of government bodies.
Court cites global standards on sports governance
Further dismantling the petitioner’s argument, the Bench stressed the importance of independence in sports governance, referring to international frameworks like those upheld by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“Are you aware as to how the entire ecosystem in sports functions? Are you aware of the rules of the IOC [International Olympic Committee]? Are you aware of the Olympic charter? Olympic movement? Are you aware that in the past, wherever there has been government intervention in sports, the IOC has come down heavily,” the Court remarked, highlighting the dangers of political overreach in sporting matters.
A firm stance on national representation through sport
With this ruling, the Delhi High Court has sent a strong message affirming the Indian cricket team’s standing as a national representative—regardless of the BCCI’s private status—and reaffirmed the legitimacy of its designation as “Team India.”
The PIL’s dismissal reinforces the judiciary’s unwillingness to entertain challenges that, in its view, distract from the broader function of sport as a unifying national force.
Delhi High Court dismisses PIL seeking to ban BCCI from calling its team “Team India” — judges defend national representation and call the case a waste of time.
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