The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to restrain the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from referring to the national men’s cricket team as the “Indian Cricket Team” or “Team India.” The court termed the petition frivolous and strongly criticised the petitioner for repeatedly approaching constitutional courts on the same issue.
A division bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed displeasure over the filing of the plea, observing that the matter had already been dismissed by the Delhi High Court earlier and did not warrant consideration by the apex court.
During the hearing, CJI Kant remarked sharply on the growing tendency of filing unnecessary petitions.
“You just start sitting at home and draft petitions. What is the problem in all of this? There is a notification for a National Sports Tribunal also with outstanding members. Don’t burden the Court,” the Chief Justice said.
The bench went on to observe that the Delhi High Court should have imposed heavy costs when it dismissed a similar petition in October 2025. According to the Supreme Court, the absence of exemplary costs had emboldened the petitioner to once again approach the judiciary.
At one point, the bench even considered imposing a cost of ₹10 lakh on the petitioner for wasting judicial time. However, the court dropped the proposal after repeated requests from the counsel appearing in the matter.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi also made significant observations on the public perception and support enjoyed by the BCCI.
“The issue would have been different if the Union of India had come before the court. But there is exemplary public support for the BCCI. Its pervasive control is now statutorily recognised. Sometimes the tail is wagging the dog since there is money involved,” Justice Bagchi remarked.
The plea had been filed by advocate Reepak Kansal, who had earlier moved the Delhi High Court with a similar Public Interest Litigation (PIL). In October 2025, the High Court had strongly reprimanded Kansal for filing the petition and questioned its very basis.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, while dismissing the plea in the High Court, had observed that the argument was illogical and amounted to a complete waste of judicial time.
“How can a team that represents the country across the world not be said to represent India? Why should it not be called Team India?”
The plea further argued that allowing a private body like the BCCI to project its team as the national team misleads the public and dilutes the sanctity of national symbols.
Both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, however, rejected these arguments outright. The apex court made it clear that such petitions only burden the judiciary and distract from genuine legal issues requiring constitutional scrutiny.
By refusing to hear the plea, the Supreme Court sent a strong message against frivolous litigation and reaffirmed the widely accepted public and institutional recognition of the Indian cricket team as the country’s representative side, regardless of the BCCI’s legal status.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Case Summary | Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea against BCCI referring to the national men’s cricket team as “Indian Cricket Team” or “Team India”. |
| Date of Order | Tuesday |
| Petitioner | Advocate Reepak Kansal |
| Respondent | Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) |
| Nature of Plea | Sought directions to restrain BCCI from calling the team “Indian Cricket Team” or “Team India”. |
| Supreme Court Bench | Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi |
| Court’s View on Plea | Termed frivolous and unnecessary |
| Key Reason for Dismissal | Issue already dismissed by Delhi High Court; repetitive litigation |
| Observation by CJI Surya Kant | Criticised tendency of drafting unnecessary petitions at home and burdening courts |
| Remark on Judiciary Burden | Court stated such pleas waste valuable judicial time |
| Reference to National Sports Tribunal | CJI mentioned existing notification and outstanding members |
| Delhi High Court’s Earlier Decision | Similar PIL dismissed in October 2025 |
| Delhi HC Judge | Justice Tushar Rao Gedela |
| Delhi HC’s Observation | Argument was illogical and a complete waste of judicial time |
| Key Quote from Delhi HC | “How can a team that represents the country across the world not be said to represent India?” |
| Supreme Court on Costs | Observed Delhi HC should have imposed heavy costs earlier |
| Proposed Cost by SC | ₹10 lakh |
| Final Decision on Cost | Dropped after repeated requests by counsel |
| Observation by Justice Joymalya Bagchi | BCCI enjoys exemplary public support and statutory recognition |
| Notable Remark by Justice Bagchi | “Sometimes the tail is wagging the dog since there is money involved” |
| Argument by Petitioner | BCCI being a private body should not project team as national team |
| Court’s Response to Argument | Rejected outright |
| Final Outcome | Plea dismissed; Supreme Court refused to hear the matter |
| Broader Message from Court | Strong warning against frivolous litigation |
| Institutional Recognition | Indian cricket team reaffirmed as India’s representative side |
| Impact of Judgment | Reinforced public and institutional acceptance of “Team India” |
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