Sunil Gavaskar becomes first Indian sportsperson to get personality rights protection

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has created legal history by becoming the first Indian sportsperson to receive court-backed protection for personality and publicity rights, setting a landmark precedent for athletes in the digital age.

In a significant order passed on December 23, the Delhi High Court directed individuals accused of misusing Gavaskar’s name, image and identity to remove all infringing content within 72 hours from social media platforms and e-commerce websites. The court further ruled that if the offenders fail to comply, the platforms hosting such content would be legally bound to take it down.

Why the ruling matters

The decision marks one of India’s strongest judicial recognitions of a sportsperson’s personality, publicity and image rights, particularly in cases involving unauthorised digital use and commercial exploitation.

Gavaskar had approached the court against:

• Sale of unauthorised merchandise using his name and likeness

• Misleading social media posts falsely attributing statements to him

• Content that could potentially damage his reputation as a senior cricket analyst and broadcaster

The court observed that while humour and satire are permissible online, content that prima facie violates personality rights cannot be allowed, especially when it misleads audiences or exploits a public figure for commercial gain.

A growing legal trend

Senior Advocate Gopal Jain represented Gavaskar, briefed by Krida Legal, led by Managing Partner Vidushpat Singhania. The court also took note of concerns around obscene and misleading digital content, reinforcing the need for accountability in the online ecosystem.

The ruling places Gavaskar alongside prominent Indian celebrities who have sought legal safeguards for their identity, including Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Salman Khan. However, Gavaskar is the first Indian athlete to secure such explicit judicial protection.

Global context

Internationally, personality rights are well-established among sports icons. Stars like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi tightly control the commercial and digital use of their identity through trademarks and licensing frameworks.

With the rise of AI-generated content, deepfakes and unauthorised merchandising, the importance of such rights has intensified.

A precedent for Indian athletes

By asserting legal control over his persona, Sunil Gavaskar has paved the way for current and former Indian sportspersons to protect, monetise and regulate their identity in an era of rapid digital expansion.

The ruling signals a shift in Indian sports law—recognising that an athlete’s legacy, reputation and personal brand deserve the same legal respect as those of film stars and global celebrities.