The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its state affiliate, the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), appear to be at odds over the Lodha Committee rulings, the National Sports Governance Act and whether cricket administration is a public or private function. More significantly, they differ on the crucial issue of elections to the state unit, with the dispute eventually landing before the state High Court.

The BCCI has taken the position that the OCA must conduct its elections or risk having its funds withheld and being derecognised. The OCA, however, has argued that the elections have been deferred to assess the impact of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, particularly since cricket is now an Olympic sport. The OCA elections, which were due in October 2025, have since been postponed twice.

Melinda Colaco, senior manager (legal) of the BCCI, has filed an affidavit in the State High Court stating, “...it’s imperative that the Odisha Cricket Association should hold its election immediately” before going on to mention that no office-bearer can hold office consecutively for more than two years and is required to uphold the spirit of judgement of Supreme Court of India. “...else it will be in violation of Odisha Cricket Association’s own bylaws, BCCI’s MoA and directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court...,” the BCCI affidavit states.

The BCCI intervention was necessitated after Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra, a former Odisha cricketer and coach, who had previously contested in the OCA elections, filed a petition in the court with prayers for elections to be held to the OCA.

The petition further states, “It is submitted that non-compliance with the (above provisions – Lodha provisions) makes an association disentitled for a grant under Rule 3 (b) (1) of the BCCI MoA. Further as per Rule (b) (3) if any association continues to be disentitled under Rule 3 (b), for a continuous period of two years, then the BCCI may derecognise as a member,” and adds, “The directions of Supreme Court of India are binding on the Odisha Cricket Association.”

OCA president Pankaj Mohanty, secretary Sanjay Behera and treasurer Bikash Pradhan have been holding the positions since October 2019.

The OCA has cited the provisions of the National Sports Act and submitted before the High Court that its general body has passed a resolution stating that the impact of the Sports Act must first be assessed, particularly as the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has recommended postponing elections to sports bodies until December 2026.

“However, by a majority of vote/opinion, the Election was deferred to assess the impact of National Sports Governance Act 2025, more particularly in view of the fact that Cricket has been included as Olympic Sport for the forthcoming Olympic Games to be held in the United States of America in the year 2028,” secretary Behera submitted before the court.

He went on to further state, “That it is important to mention two important aspects that come for consideration by this Hon’ble court. The Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Department of Sports, vide its notification no 12-13 2025, has issued a circular with the subject “Deferment of Upcoming election of National Sports Federations up to 31st December 2026, as a transitionary measure.”

However, the stand of the BCCI, the parent body of the OCA, as submitted by Colaco, is different. “Even though the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, has been enacted, the sport of cricket has not been notified as a designated for the National Sports Governance act, 2025 to apply,” the BCCI affidavit says.

The OCA held two Special General Meetings - on August 31, 2025, and February 22, 2026 - at which it resolved to postpone the election. The first postponement was to ensure smooth conduct of the December 9 T20I between India and South Africa while the second was because of the recommendation of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

In their affidavits and counter-affidavits, the parties have debated whether the administration of cricket and the conduct of elections amount to discharge of public duty. The BCCI, citing the Supreme Court, has said, “BCCI discharges important public functions and is therefore amenable to writ jurisdiction.”

Cricbuzz reached out to Behera. The next hearing is on Thursday (August 27).