In a hearing that turned into a sharp rebuke of a public interest petition, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea challenging the use of the term "Team India" for the national cricket team run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The petition, filed by lawyer Reepak Kansal, claimed that referring to the BCCI team as the Indian cricket team misleads the public and violates laws protecting national symbols.
Kansal’s plea argued that BCCI, being a private society registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, is not a government body or a statutory authority. He contended that Prasar Bharati, which runs Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR), wrongly projects the team as "Team India" and uses national symbols like the Indian flag during broadcasts.
The petition claimed this misrepresentation could violate the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and the Flag Code of India, 2002.
The lawyer further submitted that government platforms giving the team national status creates a false impression that BCCI enjoys official recognition from the state.
The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, was visibly unimpressed. Chief Justice Upadhyaya told Kansal bluntly,
"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 government officials. Hockey, football, tennis… are they not representing India?"
Justice Gedela added a practical perspective:
"Are you saying the team doesn’t represent India? This team, which goes everywhere and represents India, you are saying they don’t? Is it not Team India?"
The Court also noted that private citizens displaying the national flag at their homes is permitted, questioning why the same logic should not apply to sports teams using national symbols.
Addressing the broader sports ecosystem, the judges pointed out,
"Are you aware how international sports bodies like the IOC operate? Government interference in sports has often been frowned upon globally. If officials alone select the team, does that make it the only national representation?"
The Court's remarks suggested that the petitioner's arguments were disconnected from the practical realities of sports administration in India and abroad.
After reviewing the submissions, the Bench dismissed the PIL outright. Justice Gedela noted,
"We are convinced that this writ petition… you should file better PILs," signaling that the current petition lacked merit and was an inefficient use of judicial resources.
Effectively, the Court confirmed that the BCCI cricket team can continue to be referred to as "Team India" by Prasar Bharati and other platforms, even though the board is a private body.
