The Delhi High Court has ordered a sweeping crackdown on illegal streaming platforms ahead of the Men in Blue’s tours of South Africa (Nov–Dec 2025) and New Zealand (Jan 2026).
The court’s ruling follows a petition by JioStar India Pvt. Ltd., the company holding exclusive global TV and digital rights to both series. According to filings reviewed by Live Law and Storyboard18, piracy networks had begun gearing up to stream the matches without authorisation — prompting the court to act preemptively.
Key Orders Issued by the Court
Immediate Blocking of Rogue Apps & Sites: Platforms such as Cricfy TV, SportzX TV, and a cluster of mirror and proxy domains were identified as piracy hubs. Domain registrars, including Namecheap, were instructed to disable them within 72 hours.
ISPs & Government Bodies Put on Alert: Internet service providers, along with India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), have been directed to enforce rapid access blocks.
Dynamic Blocking Powers Granted: In a rare but increasingly common measure, the court authorised real-time blocking, allowing JioStar to immediately report new infringing apps during the tours for instant takedown — no further court orders needed.
Long-Term Protection: The injunction remains active until March 3, 2026, covering both tours and the post-series piracy surge often seen after major cricket events.
Why This Matters
Cricket is India’s biggest broadcast goldmine, and piracy costs rights holders billions in revenue. By acting early, the Delhi High Court is aiming to shield JioStar’s investment and deter widespread illegal viewing that typically spikes during international tours. Reports from LiveMint and Financial Express highlight the growing sophistication of piracy rings, which now operate through rapidly replicating mobile apps, rogue streaming sites, and encrypted servers.
The Bigger Picture
This crackdown signals India’s judiciary aligning more aggressively with global anti-piracy trends — similar to Premier League–style dynamic injunctions in the UK and U.S. MLB anti-streaming orders. With Indian cricket commanding one of the world’s largest sports audiences, the ruling sets a powerful precedent for protecting high-value live sports content going forward.
The message is clear: as India gears up for two major away series, the courts are taking no chances — and illegal streamers are firmly on notice.
