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As Team India gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a revised policy regarding the presence of players' families during the tournament. As per a report by Dainik Jagran, Indian cricketers will now be allowed to have their families accompany them for one match during the competition.  

This marks a slight change from BCCI’s initial stance, which had prohibited players from bringing their families to Dubai for the tournament. As per reports, the decision was made following discussions between a senior member of the team management and BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia before the team’s departure.  

Under the BCCI’s updated policies, players' families can stay with them for up to 14 days during international series or tournaments lasting more than 45 days. For shorter overseas tours, the permissible duration is capped at seven days.  

The Indian squad arrived in Dubai on February 15 and is set to kick off its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. A highly anticipated clash against Pakistan is scheduled for February 23, followed by a match against New Zealand on March 2 to conclude the group stage. 

In India, the broadcasting rights for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is with Star Sports. The matches will also stream on JioHotstar.  

BCCI revises policy on players' families for Champions Trophy 2025

The Bombay High Court has quashed an order of the Income Tax Department regarding the tax exemption status to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

According to a report by Bar & Bench, the BCCI was granted tax exemption status on 12 February 1996, which was modified in 2006 and 2007 without notifying the tax authorities.

Subsequently, the Director of Income-tax (Exemptions) issued a communication in 2009, saying that the BCCI's status  "does not survive from the date on which the objects were changed, that is June 1, 2006", the Bar & Bench report stated.

However, the bench of Justices MS Sonak and Jitendra Jain have quashed the communication arguing that it does not amount to withdrawal of the registration granted to BCCI.

Additionally, the HC left the issues of exemption or cancellation of registration on merits open as it would be decided by the prescribed statutory authorities.

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has ruled that BCCI's plea was nonmaintainable as the department's communication to the cricket board was not a cancellation or withdrawal of its registration under Section 12A of the Income Tax Actor. But ITAT had examined the merits of communication which prompted BCCI to move to the Bombay High Court.

Bombay HC gives BCCI breathing room in tax exemption case

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has ordered the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to decide within a week whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) can withdraw its insolvency case against Byju’s.

The NCLAT gave this order while dismissing an appeal filed by Riju Raveendran, who challenged the reinstatement of Glas Trust and Aditya Birla Finance into Byju’s Committee of Creditors (CoC).

A panel led by Justice (Retd.) Rakesh Kumar Jain and Jatindranath Swain stated, "The NCLT is directed to decide the application (for withdrawal by BCCI) preferably in a week’s time. We have not made any observations on the facts while deciding this appeal."

On 29th January, the NCLT had ordered disciplinary action against Pankaj Srivastava, the Resolution Professional (RP) overseeing Byju’s insolvency proceedings. The tribunal had also overturned Srivastava’s decision to exclude Glas Trust and Aditya Birla Finance from Byju’s CoC, reinstating them instead.

Additionally, the NCLT removed Srivastava as RP and instructed the newly formed CoC to appoint a replacement. It also invalidated all decisions made by the previous CoC.

However, the tribunal has yet to decide on BCCI’s request to withdraw its insolvency plea against Byju’s after reaching a settlement.

Riju Raveendran challenged the NCLT’s decision to allow Glas Trust and Aditya Birla Finance into the CoC. He argued that since BCCI and Byju’s had already reached a settlement before the CoC was formed, the tribunal should have prioritised ruling on the withdrawal application first.

Raveendran also pointed out that the Supreme Court had allowed BCCI and him to seek appropriate remedies following their settlement. He claimed that by prioritising CoC formation, the NCLT effectively dismissed the withdrawal request without formally addressing it.

<strong>The Original Case of Insolvency:</strong>

The NCLT’s Bengaluru bench admitted BCCI’s insolvency plea against Byju’s parent company, Think & Learn Private Limited, on 16th July last year. BCCI had filed the case over unpaid dues of ₹158 crore related to sponsorship rights.

Senior Advocate Arun Kathpalia represented Riju Raveendran, while Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Krishnendu Datta appeared for Glas Trust and Aditya Birla Finance.

NCLAT orders NCLT to decide on BCCI-Byju’s settlement within a week

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will soon be in search of a new treasurer, as Ashish Shelar, who had held the position since October 2022, stepped down after being sworn in as a cabinet minister in the newly-formed Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government, PTI reported. 

Shelar, who won the Vandre West seat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections last month, took the oath of office on Sunday in Nagpur.

Shelar’s appointment as the BCCI treasurer came after the Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that ministers and public servants were not allowed to hold positions in the cricket board, in line with the Lodha Committee’s recommendations. 

However, in a significant shift in September 2022, the court allowed the BCCI to amend its constitution, enabling elected officials and legislators to hold office-bearer roles. This change allowed Shelar to step into the role of treasurer.

Shelar’s resignation follows that of Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary, who assumed the role of chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier this month. Shah officially began his tenure at the ICC on December 1, with BCCI president Roger Binny appointing joint secretary Devajit Saikia as the interim secretary. Saikia, who took on the role on December 9, is expected to serve as interim secretary until at least September 2025, pending a permanent appointment.

Ashish Shelar steps down as BCCI treasurer after taking Cabinet Minister oath in Maharashtra

The mega auction for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, as announced by the BCCI. Player registration closed on Monday, with a total of 1,574 cricketers (1,165 Indian and 409 overseas) registering for the event. The auction coincides with days three and four of the first Test match between India and Australia in Perth, which starts on November 22.

Each franchise will be able to form a squad of up to 25 players (including retained players), with a total of 204 slots available. This player pool comprises 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations.

Among the capped players, 48 are from India, while 965 Indian uncapped players will also be available in the auction. High-profile Indian stars like Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Arshdeep Singh are expected to be part of this year’s event.

The 10 franchises collectively have around ₹641.5 crore available for the 204 slots, of which 70 are reserved for overseas players. Currently, 46 players have been retained by the 10 franchises at a total expense of ₹558.5 crore.

Each franchise was initially allocated ₹120 crore for building their squads. Following the retention process announced on October 31, the Punjab Kings have the largest remaining budget at ₹110.5 crore, having retained only two uncapped players, Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh, for ₹9.5 crore.

The Rajasthan Royals, led by Sanju Samson, have the smallest purse at ₹41 crore after retaining six players. The Kolkata Knight Riders have also retained six players, leaving them with a budget of ₹51 crore.

Mega IPL auction to take place in Saudi Arabia on Nov 24 and 25

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) published the 48-page detailed order approving the mega media merger of Reliance Industries and Walt Disney, entailing various conditions, including divestment of seven TV channels. Reliance expects to complete merger with Disney's India business in Q3. 

As part of seeking the regulator's approval, the parties have voluntarily agreed that they will not bundle TV ad slots for IPL, ICC and BCCI cricketing rights till the end of existing rights. Also, the parties will sell seven TV channels, including Hungama and Super Hungama.

Among other conditions, the companies have voluntarily agreed that they will not bundle together the TV ad slot sales for all three cricketing rights available with them — IPL, ICC and BCCI — for the remaining tenure of the existing rights.

"The parties will not bundle together OTT ad slot sales for all three cricketing rights available with the parties i.e. IPL, ICC and BCCI for the balance tenure of the existing rights," the 48-page order said.

The parties have given an undertaking that they will not increase the advertisement rates to an unreasonable level on their TV and streaming platforms for the ICC and IPL events till the current rights are held by them.

On August 28, CCI said it had approved the merger of media assets of Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Co to create the country's largest media empire worth over ₹70,000 crore.

The deal, announced earlier this year, had faced scrutiny by the anti-trust regulator, and the approval has come after the parties proposed certain modifications to the original transaction structure.

Reliance is all set to control over 60 per cent of the new combined unit — 16 per cent directly and 47 per cent via the Viacom18 Media business it largely owns — while 37 per cent goes to Disney. The combined entity will hold two streaming services and 120 television channels. Reliance owns Viacom18 Media and Digital18, and Disney controls Star India and Star Television.


Reliance-Disney merger: CCI releases 48 page order, parties agree to not bundle cricket ad slots

The Union Health Ministry has reached out to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to implement measures that prevent surrogate advertising of tobacco and alcohol products by athletes.

In a letter to BCCI President Roger Binny and SAI Director General Sandip Pradhan on Thursday, Dr. Atul Goel, Director of Health Services, requested both organizations to sign an anti-tobacco Declaration of Interest form. He also urged them to avoid promoting surrogate advertising of tobacco or alcohol products at events hosted by BCCI and SAI.

"BCCI is responsible for setting policies, guidelines, and a roadmap for the promotion and governance of cricket, keeping in mind the players and fans in India. Athletes, especially cricketers, are role models in society, particularly for young people, promoting a healthy, active, and productive lifestyle. It is disheartening to see some of the most well-known cricketers and famous actors involved in surrogate advertisements for tobacco and alcohol products during events like the IPL," Dr. Goel wrote to Binny.

He suggested that the Board issue directives to cricketers under its jurisdiction to refrain from surrogate promotion, partnership, or advertisement of tobacco-related products. The letter further stated, "It is hereby requested not to allow such surrogate advertisements during other BCCI sporting events, such as the IPL." Similar request have been made to the SAI Director General.

The government's position aligns with existing regulations under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). The letter comes amid growing public health concerns linked to tobacco use, with the Global Adult Tobacco Survey attributing nearly 1.35 million deaths annually to tobacco-related causes.

Health Ministry urges BCCI, SAI to avoid promoting surrogate advertising of alcohol & tobacco

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on July 30 informed the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) that it is in initial settlement talks with Byju Raveendran to settle its dispute with Think and Learn Private Limited. As per reports, the company has transferred Rs 500 million to the cricket board. 

Byju's transferred Rs 500 million to the BCCI on Tuesday, reported Bloomberg, quoting people in the know. This is the first payment towards resolving the disagreement. 

Byju's has “almost resolved” the dispute over the unpaid fees with the BCCI, and will pay “a certain tranche of the money” by this evening, said Arun Kathpalia, the lawyer who was representing the ed-tech company in the court hearing, as per the news report. A BCCI lawyer also told the court that both the parties were in settlement talks.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for BCCI said "The matter may be heard tomorrow, they are in talks." The NCLAT accordingly adjourned the case to July 31.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the US-based lenders of the company, told the NCLAT that their plea was disposed of after the insolvency order and he is seeking to appeal the order.

The tribunal agreed to hear all the applications on July 31.

On July 29, justice Sharad Kumar Sharma of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) recused himself from hearing Byju's founder Byju Raveendran's plea challenging the order admitting the edtech startup’s parent Think and Learn to bankruptcy on a plea by BCCI.

The NCLT started bankruptcy proceedings against Think and Learn on July 16 on a Board of Control for Cricket in India's plea over the non-payment of Rs 158 crore.

Byju's to settle dues with BCCI, transfers Rs 500 million as first installment

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on July 30 informed the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) that it is in initial settlement talks with Byju Raveendran to settle its dispute with Think and Learn Private Limited.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for BCCI said "The matter may be heard tomorrow, they are in talks." The NCLAT accordingly adjourned the case to July 31.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the US-based lenders of the company, told the NCLAT that their plea was disposed of after the insolvency order and he is seeking to appeal the order.

The tribunal agreed to hear all the applications on July 31.

On July 29, justice Sharad Kumar Sharma of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT)  recused himself from hearing Byju's founder  Byju Raveendran's plea challenging the order admitting the edtech startup’s parent Think and Learn to bankruptcy on a plea by BCCI.

The NCLT started bankruptcy proceedings against Think and Learn on July 16 on a Board of Control for Cricket in India's plea over the non-payment of Rs 158 crore.


BCCI and Byju’s in settlement talks, NCLAT adjourns case till July 31


The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set a  cumulative base price of Rs 2,700 crore for the six associate and three special partner slots in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

According to reports, as outlined in the request for quotation (RFQ) document, each of the six associate partner slots carries a base price of Rs 65 crore per year for 74 matches, totalling Rs 325 crore over five years. The cumulative base price for all six associate partner slots amounts to Rs 1,950 crore for five years.


Additionally, the base prices for partnerships related to the orange and purple cap, umpire, and strategic timeout are set at Rs 60 crore, Rs 50 crore, and Rs 40 crore per year, respectively, for 74 matches. The combined base price for the three special partnership slots is established at Rs 750 crore for five years.

Interested parties can purchase the RFQ document until February 19, with bids required to be submitted by February 21.





