The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has upgraded the International Cricket Council (ICC) to Tier 1 under its prioritisation policy following cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. India has also retained its place in the highest category of countries facing strict anti-doping scrutiny. The revised classifications will come into effect on January 1 next year, marking an important development as cricket prepares to return to the Olympic programme for the first time since 1900.

The ICC was previously classified in Tier 2 but has now moved into the highest category of WADA’s compliance framework for international sports federations. Tier 1 organisations must follow stricter anti-doping requirements, including timely sample collection, effective results management and proper handling of Therapeutic Use Exemptions. Under the framework, critical compliance issues must be addressed within three months, high-priority requirements within six months and general data privacy requirements within nine months.

India, meanwhile, remains among the 50 countries in Tier 1, alongside sporting powerhouses such as China and the United States. Countries are classified based on factors including the size of their sporting systems and performances at major global competitions over the previous four years. India's continued presence in the top category comes despite its record of high numbers of reported doping violations among leading sporting nations in recent years.

Several prominent international federations, including FIFA, World Athletics, the International Tennis Federation and the Badminton World Federation, are also in Tier 1. The World Squash Federation has been upgraded to the top category following squash’s inclusion in the Olympics, while World Boxing has also entered the group. WADA will review the classifications every two years, with the revised framework aimed at strengthening anti-doping compliance and directing resources towards sports and countries considered to have a higher risk of doping.